1996 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape

[jdaw1]

On Wednesday 3rd June 2015 CSD, JDAW and AHB met at Portland (113 Great Portland Street W1W 6QQ) for some blind bottles.

Links:

• Review of the event as a whole;
• 1996 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape (CSD);
• 1977 Smith Woodhouse (JDAW);
• 1994 Vesuvio (AHB);
• Placemats;
• Planning and arrangements.

[jdaw1]

1996 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape, from the wine list of Portland restaurant. Dark red, 50% opaque. In palate acidity prominent, mid+ weight. Some heat, good length. Great balance and structure, but the acidity says ‘drink up’.

I saw the bottle, so didn’t guess. Had I guessed I would have been completely wrong.

[jdaw1]

the Portland was excellent, and sold me a bottle of 1996 Clos des Papes, which I was excited to try. I thought it showed very good mature CNDP character, but not quite in the top tier of wines from that region, owing towards some dustyness and bit of slack towards the finish, but still very solid and with years ahead.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I didn't see the bottle, enjoyed the wine, picked up some cedar and guessed it to be a 1995 Beychevelle. Not a disgraceful guess, but not up to my Doty Cup standards.

[WS1]

1996 Clos des Papes is a good CDP from a mediocer to rather not so good year in Chateauneuf. Overall pleasant to drink but not a block buster. Worth mentioning the winemaking changed completly at the Domain Clos des Papes after 1990 which is the last vintage of Clos des Papes in which hid did not destem. Hence also the longevaty of the newer vintages is no longer as good as with the very old ones.