Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee 2005

Professional Ratings

• 96 Jeb Dunnuck
  After tasting the 2005 Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée two separate times from varying casks and barrels at the domaine, this was my first taste from bottle and I certainly wasn't disappointed. Surprisingly, this doesn't possess the same meaty and burly Pegau aromas but showed a pure, clean and precise character. Bright raspberry, cherry and mineral aromas shows up at first but with air, more earthy, peppery and tar laced aromas show up. The palate is awesome with beautiful balance, tension and texture that lead into a long, tannic finish. It wasn't until the last sip that this showed more of the subtle meat and leather aromas that I'm use to getting from these wines. Outstanding.
• 94 Wine Spectator
  Shows gutsy blackberry and fig fruit up front, with notes of pepper, licorice, Turkish coffee and garrigue. The super long finish lets roasted herb and beef notes check in, while gaining even more depth as this airs. Not quite as much range as 2003 and 2004, but has the intense grip of the vintage and should cruise in the cellar for two decades.
• 92 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  The 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee (normally a blend of approximately 80% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Mourvedre) exhibits a deep ruby/plum/garnet hue along with lots of grilled meat juices, roasted Provencal herbs, tar, blackberries and black currants. The wine is medium to full-bodied, still firm and tannic. It is those tannins that make the 2005 somewhat reminiscent of a tight, more austere-styled vintage such as 1995. The 2005 needs at least another 4-5 years of cellaring, and should last for 20 years or more.