2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Domaine des Saumades

With charming floral aromatics and spicy, earthy cassis, this refined Châteauneuf-du-Pape boasts a harmonious concentration worthy of this very fine vintage; an excellent match with Daube Provençale.

"Rayas is the stuff of legend in Châteauneuf, with a price tag to match. Saumades is exciting in that it is not dissimilar stylistically and thus lends an almost Burgundian elegance to compliment the generous Mediterranean warmth. Grenache from these lighter soils has given the wine charming floral aromatics allied to more unusual notes of licorice, cassis and soft earth. On the palate there are very refined tannins, plenty of Grenache colour, red-fruit weight and a subtle harmonious concentration worthy of this very fine vintage;all-in-all a good match for hard cheeses or rich local dishes such as Daube Provencale."(Simon Field MW-BBR Buyer)