The 2003 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape (the # 2 wine in the Wine Spectator's annual winefest) has long been one of the most profound wines of the vintage. It somehow manages to offer the vintage's character in power, high glycerin, and huge volume, but retains remarkable elegance and finesse that is so much in keeping with the style of Clos des Papes. The wine has a dense ruby/purple-tinged color and a wonderfully sweet nose of framboise, blackberry, and kirsch liqueur intermixed with Chinese black tea and licorice. The wine is full-bodied and voluptuous, but once past all the glycerin and beautiful, dense fruit of this full-bodied wine, there is striking purity, elegance, finesse, and surprising freshness...it looks set to have a long life of 20-25 or more years. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2025. Robert Parker
LM Segal
Halfway through a case and best btl yet. Integrated. Smooth. Dry-aged beef and charcoal grilled bacon fat. Stewed strawberry infused with aged balsamic. Undergrowth. Flawless. Profound. Heading towards burgundy.
Halfway through a case and best btl yet. Integrated. Smooth. Dry-aged beef and charcoal grilled bacon fat. Stewed strawberry infused with aged balsamic. Undergrowth. Flawless. Profound. Heading towards burgundy.
9.6LM Segal
Distinctive nose of dried pine forest and loamy earth. Rich, kirsch and silky red fruit. Asian spice, white pepper. So long and smoooth. No more edges but sense this can go a long time more.
Distinctive nose of dried pine forest and loamy earth. Rich, kirsch and silky red fruit. Asian spice, white pepper. So long and smoooth. No more edges but sense this can go a long time more.
9.4LM Segal
An assault of dried bacon fat
An assault of dried bacon fat
9.5Greg Gregory
Ripe for me
Ripe for me
8.8Eric Egan
In a good place right now, though it will probably open up more in 5-7 years. Lovely medium deep cherry colour with tannins dropping out (signs of bricking) but still strong and exceptionally well layered; high Mauvèdre content is evident on the nose, with hints of beef tomatoes, cooked rabbit stew, and fresh farm soil, matched with Grenachey notes of pepper, strawberries, and sunshine. Great acidity, still prickly tannins, and fantastic length!
In a good place right now, though it will probably open up more in 5-7 years. Lovely medium deep cherry colour with tannins dropping out (signs of bricking) but still strong and exceptionally well layered; high Mauvèdre content is evident on the nose, with hints of beef tomatoes, cooked rabbit stew, and fresh farm soil, matched with Grenachey notes of pepper, strawberries, and sunshine. Great acidity, still prickly tannins, and fantastic length!
9.4Rebecca Fletcher
Dried raspberry, a bit of umami,earthy, mushroom, sweet tobacco, leather, dried tea leaves, M+ intensity. M+ tannin, finish and complexity. M- acid. Beautifully balanced and elegant.
Dried raspberry, a bit of umami,earthy, mushroom, sweet tobacco, leather, dried tea leaves, M+ intensity. M+ tannin, finish and complexity. M- acid. Beautifully balanced and elegant.
9.1Louis Schofield
Sommelier/Wine Merchant East End Cellars
Bretty and very ripe
Bretty and very ripe
8.5Henrik Poulsen
From magnum.
From magnum.
9.3Kenneth Korsbæk
From magnum.
From magnum.
9.3David Eckert
Second bottle corked. Oh the humanity!!
Second bottle corked. Oh the humanity!!
6.1WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.