Rétrospective Châteauneuf 1995 dans le Wine Spectator

Belle dégustation de Châteauneuf 1995 dans le dernier Wine Spectator.

Ten years later, a forgotten vintage has matured superbly and offers value

Châteauneuf du Pape, the Southern Rhône’s leading appellation, has never been better thanks to a strong run of recent vintages (excepting 2002) and a boom in the number of quality-oriented producers. Amid this recent success, the 1995 vintage has been largely forgotten. Ruggedly tannic when young, these wines faded from collector’s radar screens as more opulent or accessible vintages came along, beginning with the blockbuster 1998.

Domaine de Beaurenard  

Châteauneuf du Pape Boisrenard 1995

Vibrant and ripe, with plum, Turkish Deligth, mocha, smoked apple wood and raspberry ganache aromas and flavors that cascade over a ripe, racy structure. Everything takes an encore on the power-packed finish. Drink now through 2020

Domaine de Beaurenard

Châteauneuf du Pape 1995

Ripe and mature, with lots of plum, rhubarb and blackberry fruit followed by mineral, rose petal, tobacco and sweet licorice notes. Silky tannins support the finish, where the dark fruit notes linger nicely. Very fresh. Drink now through 2013.