2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Chante le Merle Vieilles Vignes
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Tasting notes
The top wine of the estate, and the only cuvee from this estate I was able to taste for this retrospective, the 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chante le Merle Vieilles Vignes is an old vines blend of 80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre. Fermented with whole clusters and aged 12-18 months in a mix of foudres and demi-muids, it reveals a mature, complex bouquet of sweet cherries, figs, dried spice, licorice and hints of game. This is followed by a medium-bodied, balanced, slightly evolved Chateauneuf du Pape that has a solid core of sweet fruit and a great finish. I suspect it will evolve nicely going forward, but there’s no need to hold off.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Bronzed colour. Some meat and gravy on the palate, lots of concentration, ultra smooth tannic paste. As warm and inviting as a fireside. (RH)
The 2006 Bosquet des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Chante Le Merle Vieilles Vignes is a quality, textbook Châteauneuf with ripe herbs, black fruits, graphite and meaty aromatics, medium to full body, impressive texture and a clean, long finish. It should continue to drink well over the next 10 to 12 years.
Dark red. Highly perfumed scents of raspberry, kirsch, underbrush and smoky minerals. This has become much more elegant since last year, offering sweet red and dark berry flavors, strong mineral snap and a sexy note of candied flowers. Tannins gain strength on the long, focused finish but the fruit more than keeps pace.
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Product details
Grenache/ Garnacha , Syrah / Shiraz, Mourvedre/Monastrell/Mataro
Red
Dry