Domaine du Clos des Papes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1995 (Magnum)

Bottle Size: 150cl

Region: France: Southern Rhône

Colour: Red

Style: Still

Grape Variety: Southern Rhone Red Blend

From a hot year - with rain at harvest - that benefited later-picking estates, the 1995 Chateauneuf du Pape is still impressively young and vibrant, with a solid kick of tannin. Possessing a masculine edge to its licorice, smoked meats, peppery herbs and both red and black fruits, it's medium to full-bodied, concentrated and a little edgy on the palate, with plenty of similarities to the 2005. It certainly has another decade of longevity, but the tannin will be something to watch. I've had more ready to go bottles from my cellar and certainly see no reason to hold off here.Tasted September 2015. 93 Points Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate