Monday, May 5, 2008

Domaine l'Oratoire Saint Martin Cairanne Reserve des Seigneurs, 2000

As I mentioned below, I served this wine alongside the 1995 Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf du Pape. While the Chateauneuf was showing very well, this seven-year-old Cotes du Rhone Villages was not overshadowed at all. In fact, those at the table split evenly as to which the wine they preferred.

The color was much deeper and darker than the Clos Saint Jean, and the nose was more what you'd expect from a very good Southern Rhone--black raspberry, pepper and garrigue. While less aromatic than the older wine, it had considerable depth and interest. On the palate it was full and satiny with ripe red and black fruits. A very satisfying wine in every respect.

As for price, this wine actually cost a dollar more ($13.99) than the Clos Saint Jean, but I paid only $8 or $9 for the 1995 Reserve des Seigneurs and slightly more for the 1998. The current vintage is still a good value at about $20.

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