One of the advantages to reading this blog is that on occasions such as this, I intend to “spill the beans” (or grapes, as it were) regarding upcoming Winebuy of the Week specials. Even though we won’t post our latest selection until Wednesday, we already have this terrific buy in white Chateauneuf du Pape listed in our inventory, as one sharp-eyed customer who just ordered up a case has already noticed.
Domaine Berthet-Rayne is located right next to the famous Chateau de Beaucastel in Chateauneuf du Pape, the most prestigious appellation in the southern Rhone valley. I’ve had the good fortune to meet and taste their wines with Dany and Christian Berthet-Rayne, and I’m an unabashed fan of everything they make, so when their local importer-distributor brought by a sample of their 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc and told me that it was deeply discounted for closeout, I had no doubt as to my course of action. You simply don’t find wine of this quality for this kind of money very often, so I jumped on it, both for my cellar and for yours, dear reader. Here are my impressions of this delicious libation:
Domaine Berthet-Rayne Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc 2005, 35% Clairette, 35% Bourboulenc, 20% Grenache Blanc, 10% Roussanne, 14.5% alc., $19.97: Pale to medium straw in color, with flavors and aromas of pungent white stone fruit, lanolin and mineral. Thick and viscous, yet finely balanced, with enough acidity to keep everything moving right along through the lingering finish. Drink it now with fish, scallops and hors d’ oeuvres, or lay it down for three to five years of further development.
Get it while it’s here, because it’s not likely to be around for long!
Cheers,
The Winebuys Guy
How do I buy this CDP blanc?--John
Posted by: John Dahlquist | March 08, 2008 at 06:32 PM
The name of the wine in the tasting note is also a link to the page where you can order it; just click on it.
Cheers,
The Winebuys Guy
Posted by: The Winebuys Guy | March 08, 2008 at 10:49 PM