Again with the Grenache? Parade of 05 Chateauneuf's...

Angeles Wine Agency Importer Tasting Monday February 26th. Fort Mason Center, San Francisco.
The highlight: A first glimpse at the much anticipated and soon to be released 2005 Chateauneuf du Papes...
I know, I know. Here we go again with the Grenache. But I have to say, a lineup of 25 or so of Alain Jungenet's Chateauneuf producers was too much for me to pass up. I did my best impression of a kid in a candy store for this tasting (Allie is mad at me since she had to stay home and study) and I was not disappointed. This was the first bunch of the tremendous 2005's that I've had the fortune to taste and I have to say, I am very impressed. The quality across the board was very strong and consistent, not a stinker in the bunch a few wines that absolutely blew me away. These wines are firmly structured with loads of stuffing for the long haul. They are not as fat as the 2001's but they come close. The 2005's are getting various levels of hype from all the major reviewers, but the overall concensus is that these are not wines to be missed. They are ageworthy, but should be accessible and be tons of fun to drink only a few years after release.
So I'm not going to waste much time blabbering on today, I'm just gonna get into the wines. These wines start arriving in April, some will not release until August.

Bosquet des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition 2005
Ripe cherry and kirsch liquor on the nose. Classic spicy notes and bright ripe cherry fruit on the midpalate. Very well balanced with well integrated tannin. Finish is soft and long. A great example of what the British would call a classique, or "regular bottling" Chateauneuf. A perfect foil for grilled lamb chops or a spicy cassoulet.
89 points

Bosquet des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chante Le Merle 2005
Bosquet des Papes flagship wine, A nose loaded with creme de cassis and lavender. Very exotic aromatics jump out of the glass. On the palate it is rich with well integrated tannins and vibrant with loads of dark cherry and plum fruit. Showed a ton of spice and minerals on the finish. Always a strong candidate for ageing, this will reward patience. No doubt.
94 points

Bosquet des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape "A la Gloire de Mon Grand-Pere" 2005
A very interesting "super chateauneuf" 98% old vine Grenache tempered with 2% Grenache Blanc. Not a common blend but maybe it should be...Tremendously aromatic and vibrant on the nose with loads of black raspberry and blueberry fruit, spicy garrigue and sweet cocoa with great plush and velvety texture. Long, long, long finish. Evolves in the glass constantly. I wanted to just smell it forever.
95 points

Chateau Fortia Chateauneuf du Pape "Cuvee Baron" 2005
One of my favorite classic, old school style Chateauneuf producers, Chateau Fortia always makes me think of what these wines would have been like in my grandparents heyday. Sultry and seductive, with a smoky and ever evolving nose. I was truly impressed as this changed minute to minute in the glass. Loads of raspberry and rosemary on the palate with bright acidity and perfect balance. Long and supple on the finish.
93 points

Clos des Brusquieres Chateauneuf du Pape 2005
Another great "Classique" Chateaneuf- this was very expressive on the nose, calling to mind bright cherry fruit and cotton candy. On the palate it is a bit firmer, with darker fruits and baking spices evolving into hints of bacon and coffee. Richly tannic this will reward a few years of bottle age.
91 points

Olivier Hillaire Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition 2005
The first vintage under his own name. Hillaire has purchased the property formerly know as Domaine de la Relagnes and he has made a statement! Favoring more modern techniques and style- these wines are flashy and exciting. Big bold and cherry fruited on the nose, the palate shows even more intense kirsch fruit and a spicy, exotic very long finish.
93 points

Oliver Hillaire Chateauneuf du Pape "Les Petits Pieds d'Armand" 2005
Hillaire's super cuvee from the oldest vine parcels, this blockbuster Chateauneuf is amazing in its first vintage! Amazingly explosive nose of violets, super ripe cherry, rosemary with hints of cocoa and coffee. Saturated, almost purple in tone all the way to the rim, the palate gives way more than a mouthful of exotic red and black fruits, kirsch, plum, black cherry. Big and powerful, but seamless in its texture, the finish lasts close to a minute. My tasting note actually said "HOLY SHIT" but this is a wine I'll not soon forget.
95 points

Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf du Pape 2005
Gorgeous aromatics! Rosemary, lavender, cassis and tobacco. On the palate it is rich and firm, loads of spicy fruit and garrigue, giving much, but promising much more for the patient. This is the epitome of age worthy Chateauneuf. You want to save it, but can you really wait??? You should, as this will become a beautiful and seductive mistress after a few years in the bottle.
94 points

Mas De Boislauzon Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition 2005
One of my favorite lesser known producers. Loads of black and sour cherry dominate the nose. On the palate this is spicy and rich with a broad midpalate and well balanced finish. Very exotic and seductive.
91 points

Mas de Boislauzon Chateauneuf du Pape "Cuvee de Quet" 2005
"ARRRRGGGGHHH! It's a pirate wine! Sorry, the unconventional label on the "Cuvee de Quet" always reminds me of a pirates treasure map. And a buried treasure it is. Mas de Boislauzon's super cuvee is firm and super rich, this only hinted at the wine it will become after a few years in the bottle. Deep and dark in color, one wonders how Grenache gets to be that shade of purple. Lavishly spicy on the nose, with layer after layer of rich, mouthfilling fruit on the palate. The finish is dense and firm, promising to become much more enticing as it ages.
94 points

Pierre Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition 2005
This estate has rapidly become one of my favorites for consistently excellent Chateauneuf since the 98 vintage. while this does not have the explosive power of the "Cuvee de Mon Aieul" (read on) it is blessed with a very approachable personality and bright almost efflusive fruit and spice character. Dense without being too weighty, loaded with cherry and hints of cola, nutmeg and rosemary. I would drink this for the next few years as we wait for its big brother (Aieul) to show its true colors.
91 points

Pierre Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf du Pape "Cuvee de Mon Aieul" 2005
Talk about an ageworthy Chateauneuf! This cuvee always rewards (demands) patience, and the 05 is no exception. Firm, almost monolithic in its structure, this shows super intense dark fruit and a rich, but balanced structure. I would let this sleep at least 5 years before disturbing it. The 98 and 2000 Aieul's are really starting to come out of their shells now, so
I will use that as my guide for consumption.
94 points

Cheers,
TRC