2013 Domaine Roger Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Reserve
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Tasting notes
Saturated ruby. Smoky cherry and blackberry preserve aromas show very good clarity, and hints of vanilla, _ garrigue_ and lavender add complexity. Lush and creamy on the palate, offering appealingly sweet dark berry liqueur and floral pastille flavors and a hint of spicy cracked pepper. A smoky quality builds on the impressively persistent finish, which is given shape and grip by chewy, slow-building tannins.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
A big step up (I always find a bigger quality gap from the Les Olivets to the Reserve than from the Reserve to the Prestige), the 2013 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve is medium-bodied and charming, with lots of Grenache character in its damp underbrush, wild herb, blackcurrant and licorice-laced black raspberry fruit. Like all of the cuvées here, its tannins are ripe and polished, it’s balanced and has tons to like. It will have 10-12 years of overall longevity.
Bright purple. Musky earth- and spice-tinged cherry and dark berry scents are lifted by a peppery note and a hint of fresh rose. Broad and seamless on the palate, offering sweet blackberry and cherry liqueur flavors and a touch of dark chocolate. Shows increasing energy with air and finishes long and smooth, with easygoing tannins and an echo of cracked pepper.
Strongly defined red fruit with a boiled-sweet character to it. Relentlessly ripe. Very much in accordance with expectations, but it is not for sensitive souls. (RH)