2005 Chateauneuf-du-Pape, "Renaissance" Domaine de Cristia (750ml OWC)

 

Vintage: 2005
Format: 750ml
Wine Name: Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Vineyard:
Designation: Renaissance
Appellation: Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Producer: Domaine de Cristia
Varietal: Red Rhone Blend
Type: Red
Country: France
Region: Rhone
Sub-Region: Southern Rhone
Alcohol:

Tasting note: The 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Renaissance (70% old vine Grenache aged in neutral wood and 30% Mourvedre aged in small oak casks) possesses a dense purple color as well as complex aromatics of soy, blueberries, blackberries, charcoal, and truffles. Deep, concentrated, dense, and rich, it has even more structure than the Vieilles Vignes cuvee (no doubt due to the Mourvedre component), but is somewhat more forward in the mouthfeel. Again, patience will be required. (95+ pts. Robert Parker)

Tasted: October 2007
Score: 95+
Drink: 2012-2025

Tasting note: Inky purple. Ripe dark berry and cherry liqueur aromas are complemented by vanilla, mocha and mace; a cured tobacco quality builds with air. Fat and round, with sweet, velvety red and dark berry preserve flavors, soft tannins and a long, gently spicy finish. This is already drinking well but ought to repay a few years cellaring. (92 pts. Josh Raynolds, Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar)

Tasted: Jan./Feb. 2008
Score: 92
Drink: N/A

Tasting note: Muscular and crammed with black Mission fig, hoisin sauce, roasted plum and freshly brewed espresso notes, this is plenty weighty, but still fresh and driven, with a long graphite edge framing the mouthwatering, spice-filled finish. Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Best from 2010 through 2030. 500 cases made. (93 pts. JM, Wine Spectator)

Tasted: 2009
Score: 93
Drink: 2010=2030