2005 M. Chapoutier Châteauneuf-du-Pape la Bernardine
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Tasting notes
Dark red. Warm red fruit preserves on the nose, along with subtle licorice and dark chocolate qualities. Supple, sweet and inviting, with open-knit raspberry and cherry flavors, gentle tannins and good finishing cut. There's no harm at all in drinking this one young.
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Robert Parker
Josh Raynolds
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The 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape La Bernardine, which is mostly Grenache, is an elegant take on this appellation, with notes of sweet cherry, currant, and hints of olive and roasted herbs. This is a fruit-driven, dark ruby, medium-bodied wine to drink in its first 7-8 years of life. The great terroiriste and biodynamic farmer of the northern Rhone, Michel Chapoutier, continues to display impressive talent for turning out strong wines from the southern Rhone even though his undeniably strengths are his single-vineyard wines from the north. Importer: Terlato Wines International, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604-8900
Deep red. Powerful, lightly singed raspberry and strawberry aromas, with a hint of mocha. Lush, creamy and sweet, with raspberry and cherry liqueur flavors, supple tannins and a ripe, heady finish. This will drink well young.