2005 Collection Alain Corcia Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Patricia

The 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Patricia’s deep ruby color is followed by classic aromas of sweet cherries, raspberries, herbs, and pepper. Well-made, structured, and dense, it will be at its finest between 2010-2018. Burgundy wine broker Alain Corcia ventures into the southern Rhone to purchase wine which he then raises in old oak foudres and smaller barriques, and bottles them under assorted names. Some of the cuvees see 30% new oak, but Corcia’s overall philosophy is to keep the wood as a background element to the fruit, which is dominated by Grenache (60-70%) with the rest Syrah and occasionally Mourvedre. The 2006s are charming efforts displaying the vintage’s up-front, forward fruit, but not the structure, weight, or density of the 2005s. An Alain Corcia Selection, various American importers, including Premier Wines, CA; tel. (510) 237-6284, and Calvert Woodley Wines, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 966-4400