CDP Reserve des Celestins, Domaine Henri Bonneau 2007

We finished the tasting with the 2007 Châteauneuf du Pape Reserve des Célestins, which had been recently bottled. It’s a classic 2007 that has overflowing kirsch, sweet black cherry, garrigue, incense and ground pepper aromas and flavors. Sexy, supple and hedonistic, it’s one mouthful of a Châteauneuf that has no shortage of sweet fruit, texture or length. And given this showing, there’s certainly no harm in drinking this in its youth either.

The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve des Celestins performed better than it has ever done in the past, although last year I could see it coming around. This year, it looks to be a killer wine, although Bonneau still dismisses it as too tasty, too delicious, too forward, and too much like a young teenage girl who is about to fall in love and be ruined by an elderly rich man. It is dense plum/purple with notes of figs, smoked meats, charcuterie, fresh mushrooms, and loads of kirsch and black raspberry fruit. The glycerin is very high, and the alcohol must be hitting 16% plus.

Looking at the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve des Celestins, which was tasted out of barrel at the domaine, it offers up a singular, exotic profile that shows the vintage perfume and freshness, as well as the slightly feral quality of this estate. Kirsch liqueur, roasted herbs, blackberry, cured meats, lavender, incense and ground pepper are just some of the nuances here. This full-bodied, concentrated effort hits the palate with authoritative richness and depth, yet stays incredibly light, fresh and even elegant. Already approachable, with a drop-dead gorgeous texture, it should certainly be worth the extra effort to track down once released.