2007 Bosquet des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape A la Gloire de mon Grand-Père- France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (8/19/2011)
One of the best red wines I have had in the last few years. Old school, traditional CdP that is 98% Grenache grown on loamy sandy soil and fermented in old wood foudres so there’s nothing that masks and obstructs the natural expression of the fruit. Very Rayas-like in its style with wonderful red fruit, kirsch liqueur, spice, fig paste, and black olives. Silky, elegant texture and a finish that won’t quit. The nose is so beautifully perfumed and the wine has so many layers and so much finesse that it’s borderline absurd. Maybe the best part is that the wine achieves tremendous intensity while still remaining perfectly restrained. I don’t normally own more than 3 bottles of anything, but I truly regret not having bought a case of this. If I see it on sale somewhere, I’ll pick up a case…This is as good as CdP gets for me and it will age effortlessly for a good decade and beyond.
Been drinking the regular cuvee of Bosquet des Papes since vintage mid-90s to 2004 and the word or sense of “traditional” style comes to mind at all times.
Anyone have any experience with the Chante le Merle? picked up that one at the same time, didn’t know much about either other than it was a well regarded producer. Drinking window etc?
I have plenty of experience with the Chante le Merle bottling. Equally good as the Gloire de mon Grand-Pere, but completely different stylistically. The Chante Le Merle sees quite a bit more Syrah and Mourvedre than the GdmGP. In 2007, the ClM saw 84% Grenache and 7% Syrah and 7% Mourvedre. Like the GdmGP, is is fermented in foudres and demi-muids, but the real difference is that the vine-age is much older with 90-100 year old vines and the wine is usually made with 100% whole cluster fermentation.
What that means is that the CLM is a deeper, darker, and more brooding win that will take more time to show well. Where the GdmGP is more Rayas-like, the ClM is more akin to Beaucastel in terms of its style.
If you bought the 2007 ClM, I would say that I would drink one now to assess whether you like it, because if you wait until the optimal drinking window, it will be impossible (or at least very difficult) to get more. The best time to drink this will be around 2017 and beyond IMO. That said, YMMV.