Deeper in color than the Celestins, as well as more backward, austere and rough around the edges, the 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Marie Beurrier has an edgy, focused feel in its darker currant, black cherry, leather and bouquet garni-like bouquet. This flows to a medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated Chateauneuf du Pape that has high acidity, still noticeable tannin and a firm finish. While this lacks the depth and richness found in the Celestins, and the acidity will be something to watch, I think it will be a long-lived effort that will still be drinking nicely in 2025.
(WA 28th Feb 2015)
