2004 Chateauneuf du Pape
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Tasting notes
The straight 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape is a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 6% Mourvedre and 4% Cinsault that spent 18 months in concrete and foudres. Medium-bodied, classic and made in a workhorse style, it offers textbook garrigue, underbrush, truffle and forest floor in a straightforward, delicious package. There’s not a massive mid-palate here, yet the tannin is sweet and everything is nicely balanced. Enjoy it over the coming 3-5 years. Made by Thierry Sabon, who started having more and more control since 2001, Clos du Mont-Olivet made classic, age-worthy wines in 2004. While their traditional cuvee is solid, their top cuvee, the Cuvee du Papet, is one of the top wines in the vintage (and I was lucky enough to get to taste – and drink – through multiple bottles for this report).
Critic scores
Average Score
Josh Raynolds
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
(North Berkeley bottling) Deep red. Intense spice notes accent deep red fruits on the nose. Supple and creamy, with dark fruit and cured meat tones ("there's more syrah here," notes Sabon). Finishes juicy, intense and long, with a powerful cherry note.
Dark red. Deep, rich nose offers pungent aromas of kirsch, black olive and tobacco. Firmly structured but not stern, with fresh dark berry and cherry flavors and suggestions of licorice and espresso. "This is black in character while the 2003 is red," notes Thierry Sabon. Finishes fresh and lively, with fine-grained tannins.
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Product details
Grenache/ Garnacha , Syrah / Shiraz, Mourvedre/Monastrell/Mataro
Red
Dry