Coudoulet de Beaucastel 2002

Ted brought this over and decanted it without me seeing the bottle, so for once I got to taste blind. I'm very proud of myself - I picked this as a Grenache / Shiraz / Mourvèdre blend. Ok, so it's really Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah, but that's close enough. I give myself full marks.

This wines comes from just outside the boundaries of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region. It was a very good wine in the southern Rhone style, but I felt it was somewhat marred by slightly muddy flavours as well a distinct lexia raisin note that carried through from the nose to the finish. I wonder if it is a bit over the hill at 6 years old? Kelly liked it a bit better than I did. Here are her notes: "Very raisiny, dried flowers, apple cider, minerals, earth, pepper. Clear and long, ending with firm tannins."

We tried the 2002, but it is the 2004 that is currently available. If anyone has tried the '04, I'd be interested to hear how it is.

Price: $36.79
Value: 3/5
Score: 88
Alcohol: 13.5%
Tasted: Sept 2008
ANBL UPC: 633135042159