Wine: 2001 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape
Region: Rhone
Sokolin Price: $89.95/btl
Rating: 96 RP
Wine: 2007 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape
Region: Rhone
Sokolin Price: $99.95/btl
Rating: 96 RP
At an exquisite and quaint dinner party in the Hamptons this weekend, we had a very cool wine tasting. We have been talking about how great 2007 Chateauneuf du Papes are, as well as other wines from the Southern Rhone region in France. They are powerful, yet elegant; full bodied, yet seem to dance on the palate. So, we decided to go back in history and pull out another stellar vintage from the same producer with some age to see what might just happen to these 2007s as they age.
The southern Rhone region of France has really been getting it right. In the last ten vintages produced, four are considered outstanding and five are considered very good. What a track record. See for yourself below:
The winemakers produced mind-blowing vintages in 1998, 2000 & 2001 - referred to as the "trifecta." 2005 came very close to the same caliber as those of the trifecta. And then the magical, spellbinding 2007 vintage arrived. The high quality of these wines was certainly reflected in Robert Parker's scores for the Chateauneuf du Papes.
Never before had Parker given out so many 100 points to the Chateauneuf du Pape wines of the southern Rhone region. He said, "...this is a truly historic and profoundly great vintage...the most compelling vintage of any viticultural region I have ever tasted..."
And when you read a statement like that from one of the world's most acclaimed wine critics, of course, you have the urge to experience it for yourself. So, we headed off to the cellar and pulled out the 2001 and 2007 Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Papes.
What we found was that "Greatness" was captured in these wines, which each received 96 points. Both were so well balanced, complex and revealed layer after layer of different flavors that included notes of herbs, spices, earth, leather, and gobs of rich dark fruits. They were full bodied with an incredible long lasting finish that didn't want to end.
To our amazement, the most notable observation of our taste test had to do with the drinkability of the 2001 vintage. It still tasted like a young wine, but unlike the 2007, it had just a smidge less fruit and a little more refinement that showed off its class with perfect balance and a depth of complexities that may be hidden in the much younger 2007. The 2001 vintage is actually drinking so well right now that we started searching the cellar inventory for more 2001 Rhone wines to drink.
One thing is for sure, time has done the 2001 well and those who showed restraint and patience when they first arrived are in for a real treat. This finding is a great indication of what we can expect from the 2007 vintage. Not only does the 2007 drink incredibly well now, but it only gets better with age.
Our recommendation: This fall, relax and sip on some great Chateauneuf du Pape. Don't hesitate. Buy and enjoy any of the great vintages. Treat yourself - after all, you deserve it.