Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape, 1994

As most of you probably already know, my choice of a wine for Father's Day or any special day is nearly always the same, a Chateauneuf du Pape. From the appellation, I have several favorites: Pegau, Bois de Boursan, Clos des Papes, Vieux Donjon, Clos Mont Olivet, Lucien Barrot. A tough list from which to choose, but I remember some very favorable comments about this 1994 Clos des Papes a few years ago. As a match for boeuf bourgignon, the wine did not disappoint.

The color is a brilliant deep crimson with minimal bricking around the edges--very impressive for a 17-year-old. The nose has good intensity--cool spices, cherries, berries, leather and a hint of garrigue. On the palate, I get the same along with some notes of sea salt. Although this is a Grenache-based wine, Mourvedre spiciness is very much apparent. Just the right amount of warmth. This is a wine of finesse rather than power with clearly delineated smells and flavors. The silky mouth feel reminds me of a good vintage of Clos Mont Olivet. It doesn't reverberate, as the 1981 and 1983 did on previous Father's Days, but it's a very good wine at a good stage for drinking.