1992 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve des Celestins
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Tasting notes
From a difficult vintage and proving that producer trumps vintage (in most cases anyways), the 1992 Henri Bonneau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve des Célestins boasts gorgeously mature, complex aromas of lavender, garrigue, meat, and truffle characteristics that lead into a medium+ bodied Châteauneuf-du-Pape that has notable ripeness and density, a completely integrated texture, and a chewy, broad finish. Impressive all around, this is at full maturity and should be consumed over the coming handful of years, yet will most likely decline slowly over the coming decade or so.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 1992 is unquestionably the “wine of the vintage.” How Bonneau managed to produce such an amazing beverage continues to boggle my mind. It did not show that well when tasted from the various containers in the cramped cellars, but out of bottle, it’s the real deal! Aromas of grilled meats, barbecue spices, lavender, smoke, cedar, and kirsch liqueur soar from the glass of this dark plum/ruby-colored wine. Its power and richness in a vintage such as this are hard to believe. Long, chewy, and close to full maturity (unusual for a 10-year old Reserve des Celestins), it can be drunk now and over the next 12 years. Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173
The 1992 is unquestionably the “wine of the vintage.” How Bonneau managed to produce such an amazing beverage continues to boggle my mind. It did not show that well when tasted from the various containers in the cramped cellars, but out of bottle, it’s the real deal! Aromas of grilled meats, barbecue spices, lavender, smoke, cedar, and kirsch liqueur soar from the glass of this dark plum/ruby-colored wine. Its power and richness in a vintage such as this are hard to believe. Long, chewy, and close to full maturity (unusual for a 10-year old Reserve des Celestins), it can be drunk now and over the next 12 years. Robert Parker, eRobertParker.com # E2003 Jan 2003
Good deep red. Sauvage aromas of redcurrant, leather, nuts, raisins and maple syrup; almost like a tawny port. Outstanding concentration and confectionery sweetness in the mouth; silky and liqueur-like. Classic Bonneau aromas of surmaturité . Without question the wine of the vintage, and perhaps Bonneau's greatest success between 1990 and 1997. This reminded me of local chocolatier Bernard Castelain's signature chocolate truffle made with marc de Châteauneuf .
About the producer
This very old-school property makes the most unique Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The wines are fantastically complex and Boneauu made it as it would have been produced 100 years ago in the commune, using methods that familiar to any of the 11 generations of vignerons in his family who preceded him.
Product details
Grenache/ Garnacha , Syrah / Shiraz, Counoise, Syrah / Shiraz, Vaccarese
Red
Dry