Critics Ratings

Domaine du Pegau "Cuvée Réservée" Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2004

'A real powerhouse, with muscular layers of fig and black currant compote, backed by braised beef, chestnut, tobacco and tar flavors. The long, mesquite-filled finish lets additional bittersweet cocoa and dark fruit notes linger, with lots of garrigue. Best from 2008 through 2025. *#12 Top 100 of 2007, Collectibles* (JM)' (Tasted May 2007) - 96/100 points Wine Spectator

I'’ve always loved the 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape from Pégau, and it’s drank beautifully since release. This was my last bottle (unfortunately, but no regrets) and it’s certainly hit it plateau of maturity where it will stay for another decade. Today it offers a classic Pégau bouquet of exotic spice, pepper, truffle and gamey, meaty, animal notes. It’s fully mature on the palate, yet has a core of sweet fruit, some still present savory tannin and a great finish. It’s unquestionably one of the wines of the vintage and is just a joy to drink.' (Tasted July 2017) - 94/100 points Jeb Dunnuck

'One of the finest efforts of the vintage is the 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee. There is no Cuvee da Capo in 2004, and as my commentary will make clear, they decided not to produce one in 2005. The 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee has a dark plum/garnet/purple color and a big, sweet nose of kirsch liqueur, lavender, roasted herbs, and beef juices intermixed with some licorice and spice. It is full-bodied, rich, deep, spicy, and dense with some tannins in the finish. The wine is not as accessible as many 2004s, and I would opt for cellaring it for 3-4 years and drinking it over the following 15-20.' (Tasted February 2007) - 94/11 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Ruby-red. Spicy red fruits on the nose, complicated by tapenade, lavender and espresso. Very fresh and sweet, with energetic red and dark fruit flavors, suggestions of garrigue and supple tannins. Finishes deep and sappy, with a lingering cherry pit note clinging tenaciously. (JR)  (Tasted January 2007) - 93/100 points Vinous

Domaine du Pégaü "Cuvée Réservée" Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2006

'Saturated red. Impressively complex scents of red and dark berries, cherry, leather and garrigue, with smoky minerals and dried flowers adding interest. Juicy raspberry and blackcurrant flavors pack serious punch and are seriously concentrated but there's a real elegance to this wine. Licorice and candied flowers echo on the long, sappy finish. This looks to be as good as the superb 2005 today. (JR) (Tasted January 2009) - 94 points Stephen Tanzer

'Ripe and very packed, delivering fig, macerated currant, bittersweet cocoa, roasted chestnut and tar notes. The long finish flows nicely, with lots of buried garrigue and incense hints carried by fresh acidity. (JM) '(Tasted June 2009) - 93/100 points Wine Spectator

While the 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reserve has never been my favorite vintage from Laurence, it nevertheless showed nicely on this occasion with classic Pegau notes of tapenade, garrigue and spiced meats flowing to a medium to full-bodied, supple, sexy wine that will continue to evolve gracefully for another decade. (JD)  (Tasted March 2016) - 92/100 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Domaine du Pégaü "Cuvée Réservée" Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2007

'The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee (of which I was lucky to find a magnum on a Paris bistro's wine list a week after my tasting at the estate) is a brilliant effort that ranks alongside the colossal 2003 Cuvee Reservee. A blend of approximately 85% Grenache, 8-9% Syrah, and the rest Mourvedre and other varietals from 50-100+ year old vines aged in foudre, it exhibits a dense plum/purple color along with a big, sweet bouquet of beef blood, grilled herbs, barbecue smoke, lavender, sweet cassis and kirsch and a hint of Asian soy. The wine possesses a fabulous texture, a full-bodied mouthfeel and a seamless integration of tannin, acidity and alcohol. Certainly the alcohol level is pushing 16% in this wine. With extraordinary texture and unctuosity, this remarkable effort should drink well for 20+ years yet be very appealing in its youth given the glycerin, velvety texture, and remarkable complexity.'  (Tasted October 2010) - 95/100 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

'This packs it all together, with the ripe plum sauce, braised fig and currant paste notes of the vintage matched with invigorating hoisin sauce, brick dust and grilled beef notes. The long finish drips with fruit, but stays framed by a wild edge that keeps this firmly planted in terroir.'  (Tasted June 2010) - 95/100 points Wine Spectator

'Opaque ruby. The highly perfumed nose offers an exotic array of red and dark berries, spicecake and potpourri, with hints of smoky herbs and olive adding complexity. Juicy and fresh for a wine that's over 15% alcohol, offering sweet raspberry and cherry flavors framed by silky tannins. Very suave and open-knit today, with excellent finishing clarity and smoky persistence.'  (Tasted February 2010) - 94 points/100 Stephen Tanzer

Provenance

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