TN:1998 Les Cailloux - Andre Brunel - CdP - Centenaire

[HarryKaris]

Last year in November when winemakers from Chateauneuf who came over for the tasting I organized, visited me at my home I opened a bottle of this wine....and was badly corked....
Tonight I opened another bottle......not corked but the nose was a bit closed. Decanted for 3 h. I remember walking a few weeks ago in the vineyards of the Centeniare at the plateau of Fargueirol a few weeks ago...seeing all these big old distorted Grenache vines.

Strong expressive nose with cassis, cherry and chocolate truffle.
Rich and opulent, captivating after the fist second. Thick in the mouth with an enormously building intensively well flavored mid palate. Still very vivid and dynamic with no signs of any fatigue. The finish is to die for.....never ending.
A wine in its own category....with unequaled perfection and ultimate pleasure and entertainment.

(I better not tell the winemakers about this experience......)

CdP-Harry

[JimHow]

I'm going to be uncorking a 2006 Vieux Telegraphe "La Crau" tonight, Harry, in the name of science....

[Tom In DC]

Thanks, Harry, I'll have to get one of these ready for a try in the next couple of weeks while winter is still upon us.

Have you tried the '98 (or '95) Centenaire lately?

[Jay Winton]

I'm going to be uncorking a 2006 Vieux Telegraphe "La Crau" tonight, Harry, in the name of science....

La Crau is old school so better decant that one for a while. The 98 in a 375 was pretty tannic last year-great wine though

[JimHow]

I went home at lunch and was gonna decant but I decided against it.
I want to experience the whole excruciating range of this wine.
I recall having this wine from another very young vintage a few years ago and it was a tannic beast... just the way I like'em!

I realize this is an infant and am calibrating my expectations accordingly.

[alchemeus]

I have a case plus of 1998 CdPs. I opened one a couple three months ago, forget which. I almost melted into my leather chair. They will probably peak in my cellar this year or next. So smooth, so tasty, so aromatic.

Not sure the current prices but one does need to give them lots of time.

I haven't tried any of my Cote Roties. Another case plus.

[HarryKaris]

Thanks, Harry, I'll have to get one of these ready for a try in the next couple of weeks while winter is still upon us.

Have you tried the '98 (or '95) Centenaire lately?

Tom, this was the Centenaire....just noticed that the words didn't fit.........Last time I had the 1995 was about 5 years ago.....at that time very closed. I had several 1995's recently in Chateauneuf.....very much open and enjoyable......maybe good timing to drink one now.

Harry

[HarryKaris]

I'm going to be uncorking a 2006 Vieux Telegraphe "La Crau" tonight, Harry, in the name of science....

La Crau is old school so better decant that one for a while. The 98 in a 375 was pretty tannic last year-great wine though

Jay, I think the 2006 is different than the classic VT style, more round and sexy, well balanced and perfect wine for food.

Harry

[Tom In DC]

Thanks for following up, Harry. I'll still put a bottle of the regular up for CdP month at BWE.