Clos Bellane Châteauneuf-du-Pape Urgonien

Value buy at $40 upon release. Really opened up on days 2-3 like a good CdP can do with some age. Due to this, think it has time and will enjoy over next 5 yrs +? Very good wine.

This well-cellared wine was decanted off of its sediment and subsequently decanted again through a Vinturi aerator. A deep garnet blend of 77% Grenache and 23% Mourvèdre, it remains loaded with dark bramble fruits, Provençal herbs, pipe tobacco, Graham cracker crust, black pepper and licorice. Full-bodied, fresh, seamlessly alcoholic (15%) and with fully integrated wood, it wraps its flavors with polished tannins and stays solid on the midpalate. Concluding long and lifted, this is maturing slowly and gracefully. Comparably cellared …

This deep ruby blend of 77% Grenache and 23% Mourvèdre is fleshing out nicely. Packed with dark bramble fruits, Provençal herbs, pipe tobacco, bittersweet chocolate, black pepper and licorice, it is a full-bodied, freshly acidic red with well-integrated wood and polished tannins. Dense on the mid-palate and long on the back end, it is a joy to drink at this stage in its evolution. This particular bottle was decanted off of its sediment and serially tasted over three hours. Give …

Bottle 1826 of 4500. Decanted for two hours. Medium ruby. Garrigue galore on the nose - a resinous confluence of green herbs, bramble and underbrush. You quickly realize that, no, this is not your run-of-the-mill CdP. You’ve been upgraded to the 360-degree, 4D, immersive experience that is CdP gone wild. Ripe strawberry and cherry lead the assault on the palate. Close behind are earthiness and more garrigue. Immediately captivating and alluring; there’s no escape from its seduction. The tannins are …

Thanks Alison for sharing such an impressive bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. We shared a few great bottles before, so I was probably not in the best condition to appreciate this great wine. The tasting notes were written on the following day from memory. 2016 Clos Bellane Châteauneuf-du-Pape Urgonien was rich, complex and seductive. The youthful Grenache-based wine was deep ruby in colour with some sediments. Impressive aromatics of ripe dark cherries, blackberry, thyme and fennel herbs jumped out of the glass, …

I thoroughly enjoyed this CNdP - especially for the sharp price point. I liked the mellow but incredibly deep and persistent notes of leather, wood, mushrooms and rich black fruits. This is a wine that speaks of quality fruit and gentle time in concrete. It can easily be set aside for longer but the 2017 is already super approachable and bound to make a good impression!

Winebar [1 Rosé, 3 Whts, & 8 Reds] from 09/6/19 + 2 Shared, Milton Freewater (Aka: The Rocks) AVA Reds (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA) : 77% Grenache & 23% Mourvèdre grown in Urgonien limestone soils; Destemmed, 3-4 week vinification using indigenous yeast; Aged 12-15 mos in concrete vats (80%) & 1-2 yr old 228-L oak casks (20%); Unfined; N: RIPE berries with notes of garrigue P: LM body; Rndish entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt fairly quickly met …

Clos Bellane's 2016 Châteauneuf is a deep ruby blend of 77% Grenache and 23% Mourvèdre. Flaunting up-front dark bramble fruits on the nose and palate, it adds a supporting cast of pipe tobacco, tarry black cherries, sage and licorice. Full-bodied, freshly acidic, seamlessly alcoholic (15%), softly oaked and with medium-weight, grippy tannins, this is one to lay down for a couple of years before popping another cork. Drink 2021-2026.

Rhone Reds (1-N, 5-S; 1-'15 & 5-'16s) (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA) : 77% Grenache & 23% Mourvèdre grown in Urgonien limestone soils; Destemmed, 3-4 week vinification using indigenous yeast; Aged 12-15 mos in concrete vats (80%) & 1-2 yr old 228-L oak casks (20%); Unfined; N: CLOSED, but SEEMS *ripe*; Intensity lurking P: Med body; NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which pretty much resolves by the LONG, BALANCED, finish with a burgeoning elegance & …

Transparent medium ruby. The nose shows fine expressions of garrigue, with rosemary leading the charge followed by brambly fruits complicated by subtle incense and vanilla. The palate explodes with mouth-watering tart cherry and strawberry, some olive tapenade in the middle but the end arrives rather abruptly. Evolves in the glass. Ample acidity gives the wine lift and freshness and the tannins are soft and silky.

Winebar [4 Whites, 8 Reds, & 3 *shared* bottles] from 04/19/19 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA) : 77% Grenache & 23% Mourvèdre grown in Urgonien limestone soils; Destemmed, 3-4 week vinification using indigenous yeast; Aged 12-15 mos in concrete vats (80%) & 1-2 yr old 228-L oak casks (20%); Unfined; N: CLOSED, but SEEMS ripe; With addt'l swirling, notes of garrigue? Intensity lurking? P: Med, poss MF, body; RNDISH entry with very NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by an …

77% Grenache & 23% Mourvedre from limestone-based soils. Full-bodied plush wine. Garrigue and raspberry shadings mark the nose while the palate is creamy textured and intense but balanced by moth-watering acids and a hint of citrus zest on the long, silky finish.