Bottle Notes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

2010 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes – Bottle Notes

Clos Saint Jean was founded in 1900 in Chateauneuf du Pape and is still a small, family-run operation. The estate produces 12,500 cases annually. Brothers Pascal and Vincent Maurel run the business. Clos Saint Jean primarily produces Chateauneuf du Pape, including the Vieilles Vignes and several special cuvees including the Combe des Fous and Deus-Ex Machina. In 2002, Philippe Cambie…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

2000 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape – Bottle Notes

Chateau de Beaucastel, located in Courthezon in the Southern Rhone Valley, has over 250 acres of organic vineyards. Unlike many Rhone Valley producers, Beaucastel grows all 13 of the grapes permitted in the appellation and the estate uses an unusually high percentage of Mourvèdre in its red wines, usually around 30%, along with 30% Grenache and smaller amounts of Syrah,…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

2007 La Bastide Saint-Dominique Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Secrets de Pignan – Bottle Notes

Domaine La Bastide Saint Dominique was founded in 1976. Four years later, in 1980, Domaine La Bastide Saint Dominique produced, bottled and sold their first wine. Domaine La Bastide Saint Dominique is owned by the Bonnet family who are also well-known negociants in the Rhone Valley. La Bastide Saint Dominique is best know for their Secrets de Pignan which is produced from 95%…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

1998 Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape – Bottle Notes

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, in the Rhone Valley, was founded in 1898 by Hippolyte Brunier. Located on the highest terrace of the appellation, the domaine was named for an 18th century telegraph relay tower located nearby. Today the 173-acre domaine is run by Daniel and Frederic Brunier, the great grandsons of the founder. Vieux Télégraphe is one of…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

2003 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus-Ex Machina – Bottle Notes

The 2003 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus-Ex Machina was the winning bottle in the November Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. Clos Saint Jean was founded in 1900 in Chateauneuf du Pape and is still a small, family-run operation. The estate produces 12,500 cases annually. Brothers Pascal and Vincent Maurel run the business. Clos Saint Jean primarily produces Chateauneuf du…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

2011 Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée – Bottle Notes

The family of Domaine du Pegau has roots in Châteauneuf-du-Pape dating back to the mid-17th century. The word Pegau refers to a wine jug discovered in the excavations of the 14th century Pope’s palace in Avignon. Today, the estate is run by the Paul Ferraud and his daughter Laurence. Ruby red in color. 14% ABV. Textbook nose of red fruits, garrigue and…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

2005 Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée – Bottle Notes

The 2005 Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée was the winning bottle in the June Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. I did not decant the bottle and served it with a Chicken Caesar salad. Not a traditional food pairing but it worked on a hot Summer night in Seattle The family of Domaine du Pegau has roots in Châteauneuf-du-Pape…

Continue Reading