Second bottle, and worthy of a note because it was sooooo different. Firstly I can see why people think it is often corked; it has that Mourvedre reduced animal hide character and stinkiness which does seem to resemble a corked wine. Anyway, the wine. On the nose, a bit floral, but dominated by the broader earthy and leathery characters, and some iron filings too. Balanced on the palate, though a bit acidic and somewhat hollow, lacking the weight. Not tannic per-se, but not terribly giving, if you know what I mean. Dry extract around the edge of the palate. Not sure if the mid-palate will ever appear. Not a bad Beaucastel, but unlikely to be a great one. Needs more time; you never know. 90 points. $Lots.

Never been a great fan of Rhone wines from these dudes, or Laurent’s Burgundies for that matter. For those that don’t know, I believe Laurent double oaks many of his Burgs, meaning they new oak twice in their maturation. Anyway, on to this wine. Some reduction on the nose. Gunsmoke and rich red currants, and only a touch jammmy, which is good considering the hot vintage. Nor is the palate overly ripe, plums, currants and leather, but also shows some course minerals and it is pretty short. And that’s it for a review; bored now. Was $24. 83 points. 13.0% abv, but tastes and feels like 15%. Drink now.

Another stray from the cellar. Hopefully this is the last of my Rhônes from the 1990s. Some browning. Actually, lots of browning. A soft nose, with some varnish, briar, compost and leaf mulch. The palate is more secondary than primary, brown fruits, pepper and cassia bark, and a touch of balsamic vinegar, with dried mushrooms on the finish. It is drying out a bit; the acid is poking out somewhat, as well as some woody dryness. That said, it is a little slippery too. Drink now. 14.5% abv. 84 points.

Another Rhoney. And as I opened it, and the extremely long cork inched its way upwards, I wondered whether or not I was jumping the gun with a wine at the youthful age of 7 years old. “No”, is the answer. An attractive nose: strong roast meats and animal aromas, minerals, tar, strawberries, berries and herbs. Strongish tannins on the palate, though not overwhelming by any means; in fact, I’d say it was reasonably tannined, and medium bodied, with red fruits and wet stones, balanced acid and great length. Not a very descriptive note, but the wine was very enjoyable. A tricky vintage perhaps, because I have seen wines that are green and others that have been raisiny, but this was neither. Three cheers to Beaucastel! 14.0% abv. 93 points.

I am drinking all my Chateauneuf-du-Papes and replacing them with wines from cheaper appellations like Gigondas and Cotes-du-Rhone villages. It’s me, not them; you understand? On the nose, cola and cherries, plums, old leather and an almost spearmint character. Is that weird? Quite ripe on the palate, with raspberries, blackberries, minerals and raisins. There is both sweetness and acidity showing through the mid palate, full bodied with a dry pencil finish. Some unsophistication; not as good as I remember. 14.0% abv. Drink 2011-2016. 88 points

I used to like this type of gear. But either it’s changed, or I have. Or both. I think I am tending toward a wine with less stuffing, and with more recent Rhones seemingly turning the volume up to 11, they are not my style. You know, that rum and raisin spirity edge. That said, a lovely nose, with those raspberries and roasted nuts, minerals and pencil shavings. A rich rounded palate, glowing red fruits and spice, but dips away quickly. Some spirit too, and a touch of jam. 87 points I suppose. Drink now. At least it’s not full of brett.

I had a bottle of this a couple of years ago, and either the wine has changed or I have. Probably both. A bit of lift on a nose dominated by jammy fruits and cherry confit, with a touch of dried herbs and spice. The palate is rich and very sweet, with currants and spice, red minerally fruits and a touch of aggression on the finish. Not a style I drink much nowadays, and avoid buying if at all possible. Perhaps a couple of years will see the fruit recede a bit; I certainly hope so because I have a couple of bottles left. Sealed under cork. 14.5% abv. Drink 2012+. 86 points.

Raisins, plums, olives, black pepper and warm spice lead through to sweet fruits, raspberries and light plums, blackberries and liquorice, sweet spices and some minerals, with a almost syrupy character. Some warmth on the finish, but its cuddly rather than rasping. Still quite youthful, and perhaps needs a couple more years, though it is very drinkable now. In hindsight, perhaps a bit out of balance. Hmmmm. Showing the vintage characteristics. 86 points. Drink 2010-2015. 14.5% abv. $57.50 from a Langtons auction.

I’ve had two bottles of this wine this week with fairly consistent results; the second was a smidge better, but only a smidge. Pleasant aromas of river stones and stewed berries, raspberries and black cherries, summery spices, moss and some leather. The palate also showed the raspberry and cherry fruits, with lovely spices and minerals, and some garrigue. Length was pretty good, but the finish was a little raspy and hot. 2003 was a stinking hot vintage, and I think it shows with the touch of heat. I don’t think time is a friend of this wine, and I will be drinking my remaining bottles as soon as possible. Sealed under cork. Was originally purchased for $46. Drink now. 14.5% abv. 87 points.

Last bottle. Still a good red in colour. Red fruits and aromas from the barnyard, with raspberries and cinnamon, a touch of herbs and varnish. On the palate, raspberries and river stones, dried herbs and a bit of the farmyardy rusticity. Full flavoured with decent length, but there is some volatility on the finish. Went well with some goats’ cheese. Sealed under cork. 14.5% abv. Drink now. Was worth $27.29 from Europa Cellars many years ago. 83 points.