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Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Clos des Papes 2006 En Primeur

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Clos des Papes 2006 En Primeur - Offer

We have just bought a small parcel of the CNDP Clos des Papes 2006 En Primeur. The 2005 was a wine which the Wine Spectator voted Wine of the Year – this one scores more with Uncle Bob Parker. His comments on the 2006 are highlighted below. He says ‘this remains one of the irrefutable reference point estates for traditional Chateauneuf du Pape.’ Only the very tip of the top Rhône wines should be viewed as investments and this one stacks up very well, particularly as we are able to offer it at a 7% discount to the market.

Of the 2006 he says:

The 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape (15.2% alcohol, with essentially the same technical statistics as the 2005) is a completely different animal in terms of tasting. Opulent, full-bodied, and lush, it tastes as if someone had blended 65% of the 2003 with 35% of the 2005, and 2006 was the result. Deep ruby/purple-colored, with a sweet nose of framboise, raspberries, garrigue, spice box, and earth, the wine is gorgeously concentrated, with low acidity, and very ripe but high tannins. The overall impression is one of opulence, generosity, and a sexy, hedonistic style of Chateauneuf du Pape that puts it among the very finest of the vintage. Nevertheless, I still suspect 2-3 years of bottle age will be essential, and this wine will keep for 25 or more years. 96-98pts

2006 Clos des Papes £775/cs IB

The only other cases we can see offered are:

USA £835/cs

UK £837/cs

The 2005 vintage (95pts) is offered in the UK at £825.

A better wine, that is not widely available, under market…

This remains one of the irrefutable reference point estates for traditional Chateauneuf du Pape. The wine is always aged in a battery of foudres in the air-conditioned and humidified cellars. Vincent Avril told me that yields have been very low since 2003 at Clos des Papes, with 24 hectoliters per hectare in 2003 and 21 hectoliters per hectare in 2004, 2005, and 2006. Alcohols have consistently been above 15%, with the highest in 2003, and lower but still above 15% in 2004, 2005 and 2006. This estate has produced one of the great Chateauneuf du Papes of the 2006 vintage, and to my taste, it is a sexier, more hedonistic, and compete wine than even the 2005.

We are selling this subject to availability and In Bond Landed. Our usual terms apply. E&EO.

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