02 Clos des Papes

RyanC · July 2, 2009, 5:45pm

I just picked up a few bottles for $9.99 from Premier Cru. It can’t be THAT bad, can it?

Tony_V_e_l_e_b_i_l · July 2, 2009, 5:46pm

I haven’t even seen a 2002 Clos des Papes…let me know how it is.

Jack_Bulkin · July 2, 2009, 6:18pm

I have heard that it was drinkable. But why waste your palate on crap?

RyanC · July 2, 2009, 6:26pm

because for $10 that’s less than 80% of my daily drinkers, and at least it will be educational and interesting–more than can be said about many wines at that level. I think that you learn a lot more from drinking flawed (even very flawed) wines from great producers than from drinking generic stuff. And if it goes down the sink, I’m out $30, which is far from disastrous.

Jack_Bulkin · July 2, 2009, 6:29pm

I’m not as concerned for your loss of $30 as I am for your loss of palate. Look at hat happened to Parker’s.

Jeff_Warren · July 2, 2009, 6:55pm

In my view you have a bargain, Ryan. It’s not the most outstanding Clos des Papes you will ever have, but it’s just a very enjoyable wine, based on the one I had a couple of months ago. It’s certainly not crap.

Peter_Baekgaard · July 2, 2009, 6:58pm

The 2002 Clos des Papes is not crap at all. $10 is a good price for that wine. If a serious wine grower release their wine in a bad vintage its typically a sign its decent. A lot other growers declassified in 2002 in CdP.

Steve_Sigmond · July 2, 2009, 7:03pm

Pass. I tried a bottle a couple of years ago, and while it wasn’t crap, at that price level you’d be better off buying any number of '07 Côtes du Rhône… or '07 Pesquié Côtes du Ventoux Terrasses.

-Steve

RyanC · July 2, 2009, 7:36pm

Agreed! But why not both? I’ve already gone through cases of 07 Cotes du Rhone and specifically Pesquie (mostly 06 on this one lately though). It’s truly great juice.

Phil_Wilkins · July 2, 2009, 7:50pm

Wow… you guys think $9.99 for a '02 Clos des Papes is poor value (it is £26/$43 here). If I saw that vintage here for 6 quid I’d buy 10 cases of the stuff. What else do you think is better for ten bucks?

Daniel_Posner · July 2, 2009, 8:04pm

What he said.

We sold this stuff for $20 when it came out. Pretty good and much better than 2002 Rayas!

Steve_Sigmond · July 2, 2009, 9:15pm

IMO, there are tons of '07 Cotes du Rhones that are better wines and values than the '02 Clos des Papes. But if you are itching to try it, go for it!

Just to be lazy, I did a quick search of Parker scores (I know, I know, points are evil and this is only one critic’s opinion…) Here are 10 90+ pointers for under $15. Many of these are in the under $10-to-$12 range. And '07 Pesquie Cotes du Ventoux is about $11 in our market.

Domaine les Grands Bois Cotes du Rhone Villages Cuvee Gabrielle
Domaine la Garrigue Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Romaine
Domaine Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone Villages les Champauvins
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone les Deux Albions
Daniel et Denis Alary Cotes du Rhone la Gerbaude
Delas Freres Cotes du Rhone St Esprit
Domaine des Escaravailles Cotes du Rhone les Antimagnes
Domaine Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone Reserve
Domaine les Grands Bois Cotes du Rhone Cuvee les Trois Soeurs

-Steve

rob_klafter · July 2, 2009, 9:39pm

its almost apples to apples or grapes or something, but i have really enjoyed a few 02 northern rhones i have tried
i had the 02 mouline a while ago and the 02 chave this week and they were both clear semi shadows of better vintages. both dilute but had the character of the “real thing”.

9.99 is a flyer for sure and could be a great, but light, spicebox

Daniel_McIntosh · July 2, 2009, 10:31pm

Where? Thanks.

Steve_Sigmond · July 3, 2009, 12:16am

Daniel,

Try Hennepin Lake or Winestreet Spirits.

-Steve

Daniel_McIntosh · July 3, 2009, 1:50pm

Thanks Steve… I haven’t seen it yet. Last time I was at Henn-Lake I think they had the 06 on the shelves, same with Thomas. Winestreet is a bit out of the way.

Steve_Sigmond · July 3, 2009, 3:20pm

I’m pretty sure Henn-Lake now has the '07.

-Steve

Daniel_McIntosh · July 4, 2009, 2:10pm

Got it. Thanks.
Dan

Jeff_Warren · July 4, 2009, 5:52pm

There is no question that you can find excellent value Cotes du Rhone, and I think that these days the best Cotes du Rhones more than challenge the lower level Chateauneufs. However, the 2002 Clos des Papes is not really comparable, and you can expect a different experience. Firstly, you will get a mature wine - strange to call a 7 year old Clos des Papes mature, but that’s the nature of the vintage. Secondly, you have the characteristic Clos des Papes class and refinement, which you are unlikely to match in a 2007 Cotes du Rhone.