2005, 2016, 2017 Southern Rhône Valley Châteauneuf-du-Pape Tasting Lot

“Displays superb ripeness, with raspberry and fig notes layered with alluring cocoa powder, dark licorice and sweet spice. Long and rich on the finish, this pumps out fruit and terroir in a modern-styled package. (JM)” (12/2007)

“More modern in style than the classic cuvee, yet also more youthful and lively, the 2005 Châteauneuf du Pape Reserve Sixtine (50% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 20% Mourvèdre) is a beauty! Exhibiting plenty of sweet oak in its ripe black fruits, spice, licorice and roasted meat bouquet, it’s full-bodied, concentrated and rich, with at least another decade of prime drinking. (JD)” (02/2015)

“Ruby-red. Cherry-vanilla, cassis and mocha aromas are sharpened by dusty minerality and fresh rose. Velvety red fruit flavors display excellent depth, picking up bitter cherry and dark chocolate on the finish. Shuts down with air, suggesting that this will need some cellar time. (JR) 92+” (01/2008)

“The same blend as the Les Olivets (80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre), the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve is similarly inky ruby/purple-colored and gives up a more dense, serious, backward style in its blackberry, melted licorice, roasted herb, and graphite aromas and flavors. With terrific minerality, full body, sweet tannin, and beautiful purity, it's a seriously good 2016 that's going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and drink nicely for 10-15.” (08/2018)

“Full-bodied and velvety, Sabon's 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve is a step up from the les Olivets bottling and probably represents the best value in the 2016 lineup. Tasted blind, it showcases ripe dark plum and cola but also super ripe Grenache notes of apricot and delicate hints of garrigue, then it turns rich and chewy on the long finish. It's 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah, matured in a mix of foudres and oak vats. (JC)” (08/2018)

“Deep ruby. Highly expressive aromas of candied raspberry, boysenberry, licorice pastille and lavender pick up a smoky quality as the wine opens up. Juicy and energetic on the palate, offering concentrated red and blue fruit flavors complemented by an exotic vanilla flourish. Gains flesh on the clinging finish while maintaining energy; subtle tannins lend framework and grip. (JR)” (07/2018)

“Intense, with a core of dark plum, boysenberry and fig reduction flavors that are a bit brooding in feel, while licorice snap, roasted alder and tar notes hold sway for now. Shows a terrifically racy graphite and iron spine and a long, smoldering finish, so just let this stretch out in the cellar. (JM)” (06/2018)

“The tiny production 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Spéciale is Grenache dominated and comes from 100-year-old vines planted in the sandy portions of the famed la Crau lieu-dit. It looks to be one of the stars in the vintage. Blackberries, pepper, violets, and earth all emerge from this full-bodied, massively concentrated, Grenache that has sweet tannin, no hard edges and the opulence and purity of this sensational vintage.” (10/2017)

“The old-vine soul is compelling here with blue-fruit aromas and flavors. Some nuances of iodine and black, inky character, too. Long, suave and powerful tannins make for a compelling, intense and impressive Châteauneuf. Try in 2022.” (08/2018)

“Deep bright-hued ruby. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red and blue fruits, sandalwood, garrigue, lavender and exotic spices, and a smoky mineral element builds in the glass. Sappy, penetrating and pure in the mouth, offering deeply concentrated Chambord, boysenberry and spicecake flavors that deepen steadily as the wine stretches out. Blends power and finesse with a smooth hand and finishes extremely long and seamless, the fine-grained tannins framing the wine's intense berry fruit. (JR)” (12/2019)

“Intense, with a saturated core of dark currant, blackberry and fig paste flavors that ripple with energy due to finely beaded acidity, graphite cut and a lively anise hint. Shows latent grip, and will need a little time. (JM)” (05/2019)

“Not as deeply crimson as the other two 2016 Châteauneufs from this producer. The sand may explain. Very fragrant and lifted. Already quite expressive on the nose, and apparently not as dense as its stablemates. Very round and charming on the front palate. Masses of both tannin and acidity underneath but it’s the smoothly polished fruit that grabs the attention. There’s a note of tamarind as well as of red glacé cherries here. All pleasure but it definitely should evolve further. Rich red fruit. Extra complexity already compared with the Vieilles Vignes version. 18.5/20 (RH)” (09/2017)

“A similar blend, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Boisrenard checks in as 66% Grenache, 12% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, and the balance a mix of permitted varieties, that saw 10% new oak. It has a thrilling bouquet of black cherries, cassis, bouquet garni, scorched earth, and graphite. Tasting like a Grand Cru Burgundy with its tension, purity, and elegance, it has building tannins, terrific concentration, and a great finish. Still tight, backward and reserved, hide bottles for 4-5 years if you can. It's going to be long-lived.” (08/2019)

“Mostly (66%) Grenache, with smaller amounts of Mourvèdre and Syrah (12% each), and tiny amounts of the other permitted varieties, the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Boisrenard is inky in color, with aromas that hint at toasted coconut, black cherries and chocolate. It's a rich, decadent, full-bodied sexpot of a CdP that possess admirable concentration, a wonderfully creamy-silky texture and a long, long finish. (JC)” (08/2019)

“Just 5% of this wine is matured in new oak barriques, the rest spending time in old barriques and foudres for 18 months. It's all destemmed fruit, lending a nose of raspberry with lifted notes of bergamot and cinnamon. It's full-bodied, rich and flowing on the palate, with a considerable weight of wet-clay tannins. An opulent style, it hangs on to its brightness and drinkability. 66% Grenache, 12% Syrah, 12% Mourvèdre, 1% Cinsault, 1% Terret Noir, 1% Picardan, 1% Picpoul Blanc, 1% Muscardin, 1% Bourboulenc, 1% Vaccarèse, 1% Roussanne, 1% Clairette, and 1% of Picpoul Gris and Counoise. (MW)” (10/2018)

“Shimmering violet. Ripe red and blue fruit and floral qualities on the highly perfumed nose. Stains the palate with sweet Chambord and blackberry flavors that take on baking spice, cola and candied lavender nuances as the wine stretches out. Shows wonderful energy as well as depth and finishes impressively long and smooth, with subtle tannins making a late appearance. (JR)” (12/2019)

“A fruit-driven style, with lush black currant, raspberry and boysenberry pâte de fruit flavors, carried by velvety tannins. The long finish features a graphite edge and lingering anise and apple wood notes. Delicious, and showing a bit more depth than most '17s.” (11/2019)

“Lively and expressive red cherries and berries on the nose here. This has a very plush and vibrant, darker fruit feel to the palate with some sturdy fruit tannin and a nicely played oak frame to the finish.” (07/2019)