Bottle Notes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Pick My Next Bottle – 2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The February Installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on 2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape. As I mentioned in the first installment, the purpose of this series is to provide insight into specific wines or producers you may currently have in your cellar. The winning bottle will be opened this Saturday and a Bottle Note will be published the following week.

2005 was an exceptional vintage in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Conditions were perfect and the vintage rivals other greats of the last 30 years including 1990 and 1998.

The Contenders:

  • 2005 Domaine de la Janasse Cuvée Chaupin – A 100% Grenache cuvee from sandy and clay soils, the 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Chaupin has a deep ruby/purple color and a sweet nose of smoked meats and game, blackberry and cassis fruit intermixed with some sweet cherry, plum, and a hint of fig. The wine boasts some charcoal notes, plenty of ocean sea breeze, and a hint of seaweed wrapper (nori) with a long, heady, stunningly rich finish. This is a beauty, but it really begs for 2-3 years of cellaring and should keep for two decades. 94 points from the Wine Advocate
  • 2005 Domaine de Cristia Renaissance – The 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Renaissance (70% old vine Grenache aged in neutral wood and 30% Mourvedre aged in small oak casks) possesses a dense purple color as well as complex aromatics of soy, blueberries, blackberries, charcoal, and truffles. Deep, concentrated, dense, and rich, it has even more structure than the Vieilles Vignes cuvee (no doubt due to the Mourvedre component), but is somewhat more forward in the mouthfeel. Again, patience will be required. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2025. 95 points from the Wine Advocate.
  • 2005 Domaine du Pégaü Cuvée Réservée– The 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee (normally a blend of approximately 80% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Mourvedre) exhibits a deep ruby/plum/garnet hue along with lots of grilled meat juices, roasted Provencal herbs, tar, blackberries and black currants. The wine is medium to full-bodied, still firm and tannic. It is those tannins that make the 2005 somewhat reminiscent of a tight, more austere-styled vintage such as 1995. The 2005 needs at least another 4-5 years of cellaring, and should last for 20 years or more. 92 points from the Wine Advocate.

    Which 2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape should I open?

    • 2005 Domaine de la Janasse Cuvée Chaupin (43%, 17 Votes)
    • 2005 Domaine du Pégaü Cuvée Réservée (30%, 12 Votes)
    • 2005 Domaine de Cristia Renaissance< (28%, 11 Votes)

    Total Voters: 40

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    Thanks for voting! I’d love to see a comment below on why you picked one bottle over another. Also, let me know if you have any suggestions for the March installment of Pick My Next Bottle.

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9 thoughts on “Pick My Next Bottle – 2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  1. Not familiar with 2005 Domaine de Cristia Renaissance, so this one would be my pick. I’m thinking that all three of the 05 CdPs listed should be approachable now and very enjoyable. Cheers!

      1. Thanks for the recommendation, Tom. I’m hoping to pick up a few CdPs from the 07 and 10 vintages and Renaissance might be one to investigate.

  2. My vote is for the Renaissance. I’ve had there basic cuvee many times and loved it and would like to see how the Renaissance shows.

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