We were back at the Café Bastille on Belden Place in San Francisco for another excellent tasting hosted by Genie Simcox and Todd Ryan.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a French wine Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) located around the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Rhône wine region in southeastern France. It is one of the most renowned appellations of the southern part in the Rhône Valley. Wines from this region are made almost exclusively with GSM blends. With 72% of the total vineyard surface area, Grenache is very dominant, followed by Syrah at 10.5% and Mourvèdre at 7%, but the latter two varietals have expanded in recent decades. Châteauneuf-du-Pape red wines are often described as earthy with flavors that have hints of tar and leather. The wines are considered tough and tannic in their youth but maintain their rich spiciness as they age. They often exhibit aromas of dried herbs and are often high in alcohol, typically 13-15%.
As for the tasting, people found lots to like with all the wines and there wasn’t much variation in ratings of choices #2-8. They were all from the same year (2015) and had prices ranging from $55-$70. But there was a clear favorite: Bottle 7 – the 2015 Domaine de Cristia “Renaissance” at $60.
Here are the full description of all the wines that we tasted: 2018-11 Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2015 Ranking & Notes
And here are the individual voting results:
Here are the host and hostess, Todd Ryan and Genie Simcox:
ANNOUNCEMENT
The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape tasting will be on Saturday November 10th at 6:00PM.
Location is Café Bastille, 22 Belden Place, San Francisco.
Hosted by Genie Simcox and Todd Ryan
The 2015 Chateauneuf de Pape vintage is beautiful and consistently good. The vintage offers great pleasure, style and character. Many wines are said to be frankly charming and seductive. They taste as good as they feel. The fruits are ripe, and display a great sense of purity. The 2015’s turned out so good due to the weather where flowering was relatively uniform. Growers with old vine Grenache and Mourvedre produced top wines in this vintage. 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape once again will lead the way for fair values, high quality, age worthy, red wines.
Dinner will be a three Course Prix Fixe menu to be selected before dinner at event.
First course: Choice of French onion soupe gratinee or baby lettuce salade.
Second Course: Beef Bourguignon, Coq Au Vin, Moules Marinieres or Mushroom Spinach Fettucini.
Third Course: Raspberry Mouse or Pave Chocolate Mousse.
Our tasting will be downstairs. Please bring your own glasses.
Parking garage one block away on Pine St.
Cellar Society of San Francisco 