Pick My Next Bottle – 2005 Chateauneuf-du-Pape

The May Installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on 2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape. 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 on Saturday and a Bottle Note will be published this coming 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. As the vintage approaches 20 years even the wines of the very best producers should be ready to go. The question is will they continue to evolve much like the 98’s have. We should have another data point after tasting one of the bottles below.

The Contenders:

• 2005 Clos des Papes – The 2005 is drinking beautifully and is just now starting to show secondary nuances. Spice-box, cedar, beautiful black (and some red) fruits and garrigue emerge from this beauty and it’s polished and elegant on the palate. It terrific today with a short decant and will keep for another decade. (10/17). 96 points from Jeb Dunnuck.
• 2005 Janasse Vieilles Vignes- One of the true superstars in the vintage, the Sabon’s 2005 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes is deeper and richer than the cuvee Chaupin, yet stays just as balanced, fresh and drinkable. Loaded with notes of ripe black fruits, smoked herbs, smoked meats and licorice, it has full-bodied richness and power, a deep, decadent texture and beautifully integrated acidity which keeps it pure, lively and fresh. (02/15). 98 points from the Wine Advocate.
• 2005 Chateau Beaucastel – Reminiscent of the 1995, the 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape is tight, structured and backward, with high acidity and tannin. Showing notes of blackcurrants, black raspberry, truffle, damp earth and cedar, with medium to full-bodied richness and depth, it needs another 3-5 years to reach the early stages of maturity, at which point it will hold for another decade or more. (02/15). 95 points from the Wine Advocate.

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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 June installment of Pick My Next Bottle.