La Bastide Saint Domonique Chateauneuf du Pape 2006 Wine Tasting Review
Birthdays come but once a year.
And in a big year, in the middle of a late & busy vintage, it’s as good a time as any to crack out the top shelf stuff.
For Mr Wino’s birthday he uncorked a Chateauneuf du Pape to accompany a special roast dinner I had prepared.
Chateauneuf du Pape is an AOC (Appellation d’origine contrôlée in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in southeastern France. The village lies about 3 kilometres to the east of the Rhône and 12 kilometres north of the town of Avignon.
It is one of the most renowned appellations of the southern part of the Rhône Valley.
Usually they are Grenache dominant blends, hence our keen interest in them! (See our own wine label – Aphelion Wine Co. which has a McLaren Vale Grenache focus).
I can’t think about or see Chateauneuf without hearing those infamous words from the Beastie Boys:
“Like a bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape
I’m fine like wine when I start to rap
We need body rockin’, not perfection
Let me get some action from the back section“– Beastie Boys, Body Movin’
La Bastide Saint Domonique Chateauneuf du Pape 2006 Wine Tasting Review
Well Looky Here
Rusty ruby red.
Sniff Sniff
Mushroom & earth dominate my first sniff, then port, chocolate, baking spice and herbs.
There are tertiary aromas here, but it is certainly not past it.
The rich Grenache is a little hot.
Sip Sip
I was tempted. This was my 4th sip only in 9 months while pregnant. Totally worth it.
(The other three? Two sips of Bollinger Grand Annee 2002, and one of an unnamed French sparkling which was disappointingly warm and sweet!)
Surprisingly fresh!
Lasting spice and dry port-like flavours. Zingy acid carries it through.
Nom Nom
A special roast chicken dinner for the birthday of Mr Wino.
Hear Hear
Music: Body Movin’, Beastie Boys
TV/Movie: My Kitchen Rules – laugh while they ‘enjoy’ their Yellowtail.
Gimmie Gimmie
Try some specialty French importers.
Rating
Value – at around $50 RRP on release, good.
Bronze – quite drinkable.
Pinnable Image:
Comments make my day – so tell me – Have you tried a Chateuneuf and what did you think? Have your say below!