Case Club 2: 2007 Paul Autard Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Interesting Question: Is Châteauneuf-du-Pape one of the top 5 categories to pay attention to in wine? It's a tough call- I'm not sure honestly. It's the right on the edge. It's not cheap by any means, but you can find outstanding bottles for around $30. The 2007 vintage now in stores has received good press, and I was quite impressed with a 2007 Domaine Paul Autard Châteauneuf-du-Pape I tried recently.

I was first introduced to this producer's wines at a Hingham Wine Merchant holiday tasting. The 2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée La Cote Ronde (around $50) was the best amongst some great wines I tried. The legend I recall, according to Martignetti's Scott Weinstein who always has a good story to tell about the wines he's pouring, was that fellow producers in the area line up to buy his wines upon release- they're that good. Since then, I've been impressed with Autard's Côtes du Rhône (around $12) but this was the first chance I had to try his entry-level CdP.

My Notes:
This wines brings layers of flavors but has an elegant air to it. Red berries on the nose, along with some graphite and tar I more readily associate with Bordeaux. Spice on the palate and fine tannins. Firm at this young age, but very enjoyable. Fantastic stuff. Would like to buy more for enjoyment over the next few years.
93 Points WWP/Outstanding
2.0/Very Good
on the wwpQPR value index (what's that?)

2007 Domaine Paul Autard Châteauneuf-du-Pape
750 cases
14.5% alcohol
$43 Release price

Wine Spectator: 93 Points
CellarTracker: 92 Points

I'd like to combine our purchasing power to buy a case of this wine from the retailer I can find it for at the best price. If you'd be interested in combining our purchasing power and going in on a group purchase (like we did with a case of Cakebread earlier this year) leave a comment below -or- send me an E-mail letting me know how many bottles you'd like to buy. Thursday morning at 10:00 AM (November 12th, 2009), I'll tally up however many bottles we have and then place an order for the best price I can find it for (including shipping if necessary). Pick-up would be in and around Wellesley, MA. I'd estimate the pricing to be $27 + 6.25% MA tax per bottle unless we can find a retailer lower than Table & Vine which is running a free-shipping on a case promotion right now (which I don't think will be possible since they're price is the lowest in the country on this item according to wine-searcher).

Count me in for 2-3 bottles, and feel free to shop around on Table & Vine's
site to add mixed-bottles as part of the order to build up an additional mixed case to save on shipping.

UPDATE: Click HERE to see how this case club turned out.

Question of the Day: What do you think? Is CdP a category that should be part of everyone's wine collection?

Topics

  © Blogger templates Newspaper by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008

Back to TOP