2000 Cuvée du Vatican Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve Sixtine (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape)

As much as I have been an outspoken dissident of other vintages of this wine, this 2000 Sixtine is really showing well. Although I still think it is rather "modern" in style, the 2000 shows roundness, softness, and red fruit. Earth, aromas and flavors of provencal herb, and red licorice on the palate. Nice length and good finish. No Pegau, but it has typicity and character. I like this one.

2001 Cuvée du Vatican Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve Sixtine (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape)

I continue to be disappointed by this wine. It had so much promise in its youth, but time has not been kind to it. It still seems over-extracted and shrill to me. It lacks typicity for me. It, a little like the Usseglio from a few nights before, seems "modern" in style and devoid of the smells and flavors of CdP. No kirsch, no garrigue, no earth, no brett...just tons of blackberry and licorice (the black kind) which seems too one-dimensional. It is definitely still a good wine, but it isn't a great wine or great CdP/example of its appellation. 

2007 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape)

Not bad. Entirely too young, too primary, and too much stuffing. The fruit is too massive to get a good idea of where this wine is headed. My inclination is to speculate that the stuffing of this wine borders on over-extraction, and that this may turn out to be a freak-show when the fruit recedes. It even has slightly bitter tannins. All blackberry bramble. I taste no earth, no garrigue, no red fruit...all about pure dark/black fruit. Very one-dimensional. Again...very drinkable and pleasant right now, but it does not seem destined for greatness. Some folks will laud the "purity of fruit" in this wine, but I think that purity of fruit is all it has...which is not enough for me.

2006 Château Rauzan-Ségla (France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux)

Back with a bang. This is terrific stuff. It is exactly what I expect a young, delicious Margaux wine to taste like. Black currant, cigar box, earth. Impressive structure, fine acidity, elegant fruit, finesse finish. Everything in balance. A great wine regardless of the price, but when factoring in price, this is a phenomenal buy. Can be cellared for quite some time. Highly recommended. 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, and remainder Petit Verdot.

2001 Patrick Lesec Châteauneuf-du-Pape Marquis Tonneaux (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape)

My last bottle and this wine is still going strong. Traditional style CdP that shows typical kirsch, garrigue, earth, licorice and some truffle. 70% Grenache and 30% Mourvedre. The Mourvedre really adds the noticeable truffle flavors. Still pretty chewy, but the tannins are fully resolved. Really pretty CdP that can be held for a few more years, although I'd say that it is definitely drinking at peak for me.

2000 Domaine de Cristia Châteauneuf-du-Pape Renaissance (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape)

Good, but not exciting. Slightly disjointed. Shows nice dark fruit, earth, provencal herbs, and leather both on the nose and palate, but the acidity is running a bit unchecked. High in acid, almost shrill. I wonder if that is some VA in my bottle. With hours of air, the situation improved, but never completely settled. Certainly a disappointing bottle in the overall context of things. I have one more left and I'm curious if that one will show differently.

2005 Cuvée du Vatican Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve Sixtine (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape)

Very tight on day one. Dark, deep, brambly blackberry and some oak. Very monolithic. On day two, this has opened some, and it shows more meat juice and some grilled herbs. I like the length and the wood has integrated nearly completely. Long on the finish and palate coating. Very clean, focused fruit. Love the texture. This will take a minimum of five years to get to a point where it's fully open and ready to drink. Right now, it's not in prime time, but the raw materials are there...structure, ripe, sweet tannins, good freshness, supple fruit. I like this a lot.