The November installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on 2006 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. I plan on opening the winning bottle on Thanksgiving and will publish a Bottle Note shortly thereafter.
Although overshadowed by 2005 and 2007, 2006 was a classic vintage in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The cold but dry winter and lack of rain in the Spring were followed by blistering heat in June and July. Relief came with rain on Bastille day, then again in mid August. A balmy September ensured fruit with balance, elegance, phenolic ripeness and tannic structure. The wines were, and still are, well priced.
The contenders:
2006 Le Vieux Donjon – Ruby-red. Intensely perfumed aromas of Asian spices, garrigue, red berries, smoke and minerals. This elegant wine calls to mind pinot noir in its weight and texture. Sweet, palate-staining raspberry and cherry flavors are enlivened by juicy acidity. Very pure and seductive wine with no gamey qualities and a long, sweet finish. 92 points from Steven Tanzer.
2006 Domaine du Pégaü Cuvée Réservée – Saturated red. Impressively complex scents of red and dark berries, cherry, leather and garrigue, with smoky minerals and dried flowers adding interest. Juicy raspberry and blackcurrant flavors pack serious punch and are seriously concentrated but there’s a real elegance to this wine. Licorice and candied flowers echo on the long, sappy finish. This looks to be as good as the superb 2005 today. 94 points from Steven Tanzer.
2006 Domaine de la Janasse Chaupin – Deep ruby. Spicy red fruits and flowers on the nose, with a gentle underpinning of smoky minerals. Raspberry and blackberry dominate the palate, which is impressively deep, smooth and tannin-free. Leaves sweet red berry and tangy mineral notes behind on the impressively persistent finish. This wine’s elegance will allow it to be drunk young. 93 points from Steven Tanzer.
Which 2006 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Should I Open?
- 2006 Domaine de la Janasse Chaupin (39%, 16 Votes)
- 2006 Domaine du Pégaü Cuvée Réservée (32%, 13 Votes)
- 2006 Le Vieux Donjon (29%, 12 Votes)
Total Voters: 41
Loading ...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 December installment of Pick My Next Bottle.
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2006 Janasse Chaupin is my pick. Just curious how this one is doing almost 10 years on.
Tough choice. I went with the Le Vieux Donjon mostly because Tanzer’s description is so appealing and it seems like such a good match for the Thanksgiving table.
I would expect the Janasse to be extremely elegant and still young.. enjoy!!
The notion of a tannin-free on the palate,berry forward wine for Thanksgiving is making my mouth water.
Let’s see if 2006 Domaine du Pégaü Cuvée Réservée stands up to his 94 points.
Posted a Bottle Note on the Janasse. https://zinfandelchronicles.com/2015/11/2006-domaine-de-la-janasse-cuvee-chaupin-bottle-notes-2/