2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Collection Charles Giraud

One of the strongest wines in the vintage, Ferrando’s 2005 Châteauneuf du Pape Collection Charles Giraud continues to show brilliantly, and has rated in the upper 90s every time I’ve had it in the past 2-3 years. Made from 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre that comes from a small plot in the Serres lieu-dit and a small part of the Cristia lieu-dit, it offers a beefy, meaty array of dark fruits, cured meats, chocolate and tapenade to go with a full-bodied, powerful, chewy style on the palate. It’s a big, full-flavored Châteauneuf du Pape that will continue to knock it out of the park for another 10-15 years.

60% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre. Lieux-dits: Quartier des Serres, Quartier du Cristia. 100% whole bunch. 18 months in 100% third-use demi-muids. Dark crimson. Blackish. Hint of overripeness on the nose. Sweet start but the fruit just isn't fresh enough. Tough astringency on the finish. Not a harmonious wine at all. Strange as this producer usually delivers the goods in spades. I see that I really liked the 2004 and 2003. (JR)