Critics Ratings

2005:
‘Really tight now, but packed with dark fig, currant, espresso, licorice and chocolate notes. Superfleshy but seriously structured, there's layer after layer of sweet spice, fruit and minerality pumping through the finish, with lots of latent depth and power. Far more backward than the 2003 or 2004 on release, but since this red typically puts on weight as it ages, it should be a monster - à la the 1990 - when it reaches its peak. Best from 2009 through 2030.’ – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 98/100 (Dec 2007)

‘Mushroom, vanilla, light red fruit with a smoky undertone. 'Powerful but elegant', says Vincent Avril. Strong definition with firm but yielding tannins with a soft, fluffy finish.’ – Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17.5/20 (Oct 2017)

‘The 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape has a deep ruby/purple color, identical alcohol to the 2006, and the same pH, but it is a much more tannic wine and the acids seem slightly more elevated, even though the analysis says they are not. A complex nose of resiny pine forest notes intermixed with black raspberry, sweet kirsch, licorice and lavender jumps from the glass of this deep ruby/purple-colored wine. Full-bodied, powerful, rich, and tannic, this wine begs for 4-5 years of bottle age and should keep for 25+ years.’ – Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 95/100 (Oct 2007)

‘Deep red. Explosively perfumed nose offers a profound bouquet of red and dark berries, licorice, incense and musky underbrush. Broad, palate-staining raspberry and blackcurrant flavors are enveloped in velvety tannins, with suave anise and Asian spices adding complexity. A huge but balanced-even graceful-wine, with a finish that refuses to let go of the palate. This remarkable young Chateauneuf has the sheer sex appeal to enjoy young but also possesses superb cellaring potential. I'd hold mine.’ – Josh Reynolds, Vinous, 95/100 (Jan 2008)

‘At 15 years of age, stylistically this is between two stools for now, revealing developed mushroom and leaf mulch aromas. Lovely roundness and very well balanced on the palate, it's showing a touch of hardness currently, but it's most elegant underneath. I have scored the wine as it shows in the glass today, but it's likely to improve, so wait until at least 2022.’ – Matt Walls, Decanter.com, 94/100 (Oct 2020)

2006:
'Bright ruby. Highly expressive aromas of raspberry, cherry, lavender, smoked meat and minerals. Racy and sharply focused, with juicy red and dark berry flavors, silky texture and a gentle candied floral quality. Impressively pure and balanced, with outstanding finishing clarity and lingering sweetness. Does this ever really finish? By no means a blockbuster, but delivers very serious palate impact.’ – Josh Raynolds, Vinous, 95/100 (Jan 2009)

‘Still quite a healthy crimson hue even if it is now a little see-through. Complex, even rather surly nose initially. Interesting to taste this alongside Dom Sainte-Rose's 2003 La Garrigue which is currently rather more expressive. Hugely sweet and smooth on the palate though and really rather glorious in the range of flavours it offers. Herbs and spices and, most of all, really long.’ – Jancis Robinson MW, Jancis Robinson.com, 17++/20 (Aug 2022)

‘From the normal tiny yields of this estate (on the order of 22 hectoliters per hectare), the 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape from Paul-Vincent has shed its baby fat and now shows a supple, elegant, seamless profile that's hard to resist. Kirsch, licorice, garrigue and sweet spice all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced 2006. It benefits from a short decant, and while showing plenty of maturity, it will evolve gracefully for at least another decade.’ – Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate, 95/100 (Mar 2016)

‘This has terrific purity, with a stunningly pure beam of cassis holding sway over fruitcake, melted licorice and incense notes. Shows impressive density for the vintage, but this is suave, elegant and seamless through the finish, with terrific underlying minerality. Best from 2009 through 2030.’ – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 95/100 (Nov 2008)

Provenance

Private Client