WTN: Blind Tasting Shocker - 2003 Clos des Papes

[David M. Bueker]

Last night, in the middle of a blind Bordeaux tasting, there was a bottle of 2003 Clos des Papes. Nobody thought it was some overripe, overextracted monster. In fact the comments around the table were about "hipster wine", bright acidity, Trousseau/Cab Franc blend (that was me) and how it showed spritz/acidity. Two people at the table (including me) really liked the wine, and its fresh, red fruit and overall elegance of expression. Some were put off by the acidity. When the wine was revealed we were all completely shocked. I'm not at all sure what this showing says about the wine, but I want to open one of my 2 bottles sometime soon to see if I get a similar showing. Bizarre!

Very strange. We also had blind last month (at a CdP tasting), pretty sure no one liked

Paul had brought a blind wine. Someone guessed 2003, but I thought this tasted older and guessed a so-so mid 90s vintage. Plummy, a bit of heat, a bit volatile, this is tired/cracking up. It's the 2003 Clos de Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape. I didn't like, but didn't think as extreme as it's rep. C+

[David M. Bueker]

Just goes back to a discussion from several years ago about the wild variaiton in this wine.