Les Closiers Caves des Papes 1998 Chateauneuf de-Pape
Chateauneuf-du-Pape is an historic town in France’s southern Rhone Valley, famous for its full-bodied, spicy red wines (although it does also produce a small quantity of weighty, flavorful white). The name Chateauneuf-du-Pape means ‘new castle of the Pope’ and refers to the fact that nearby Avignon was chosen as the new home for the Pope’s court in the early 14th century. The pope in question (Clement V) also gave his name to the ancient and equally prestigious Chateau Pape Clement in Bordeaux’s Graves district. Ogier et Fils was founded by Christophe Ogier as a negociant firm in 1859. In 1948 Ogier became negociant-éleveur, he establsihed his own cellars for blending and ageing of the wines bought from producers. Some years later his firm was merged with another firm, Caves des Papes. Until 2008 the firm was named Ogier – Caves des Papes.
My brother-in-law, Steve, came over for dinner and had this little gem tucked away in his cellar. We opened the wine and immediately concluded we needed to let this wine breathe for a bit before diving into it. When we finally poured a glass of this dark crimson ruby red wine we noticed an elegant bouquet of dark fruit, plums, black cherries and blackberries. Tasting the wine gave forth ripe fruit with earthy overtones, smoky leather and was slightly mineral. The wine was well balanced very subtle tannins and tasting well for a 1998. We did both agree that it was probably at its peak or beyond, and maybe heading downhill, and should not sit much longer in the bottle as no additional benefit would be derived. It was a very pleasant wine that should enjoyed now! If you happen to come across one at your local wine shop, pick it up and you won’t be disappointed.
Cheers!