2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes
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Tasting notes
Tasted from magnum, the 2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes is perfumed and seductive, with earthy forest floor, a touch of mushroom and spice box complexity. Full-bodied and very much alive, the 2005 shows striking intensity and concentration, finishing long, nuanced and savory. This is drinking splendidly today and should continue to hold in fine form for at least five more years, especially in larger formats.
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This bottle of 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes holds its cards slightly close to its vest and offers a firm, concentrated, youthful feel in its darker fruits, scorched earth, licorice and mineral-laced bouquet. Full-bodied, structured and concentrated, yet with the seamless texture this cuvee always possesses, it should hit full maturity in another 2-3 years and keep for a decade or more after that.
Certainly one of the top wines of the vintage, the 2005 Domaine de Marcoux Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes, always from the La Crau, Gallimards, and Esquirons vineyards and aged almost all in tank, sports brilliant, profound aromatics of blackberry liqueur, beef blood, iron, crushed flowers, bakers chocolate, and searing minerality. Needing air to show all it has, this starts out tight and reserved, but blossoms with an hour or two of air. Full bodied and beautifully fresh and pure, with a rich, layered texture, solid acidity, and a blockbuster finish, this awesome wine needs another 5 years in the cellar, at which point it will most likely drink well for two decades. Straight-up gorgeous and this is worth the effort to track down.