93
points
Château de la Gardine 2003 Cuvée Tradition Red (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
-
$40
This large, 132-acre estate is making great wines today. This 2003 is up with the best, full of flavor, fruit, richness and layers of sweet licorice, black plums and wood. Spice, coffee and chocolate flavors complete a complex blend. With its dense, dusty tannins, it is certainly ageworthy. Imported by Bercut-Vandervoort & Co. Cellar Selection.
— R.V.
(12/31/2005)
90
points
Château de la Gardine 2003 Cuvée Generations Red (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
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$125
Brunel family ancestor Gaston Brunel is the name on this Cuvée des Générations (there is also a white, named after his wife Marie-Léoncie). This is a smooth, new wood-flavored wine, with toast, some red earth mineral character and cassis. At this stage, wood dominates, unusually for a Châteauneuf. But the fruit is ripe, polished, modern in style, and likely to come…
— R.V.
(12/31/2005)
87
points
Château de la Gardine 2005 Cuvée des Générations Gaston Philippe Red (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
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$80
Dominated by toasty, mentholly oak, this is a dark, vibrant purple-hued wine that features plenty of intensity, just not a lot of midpalate richness or complexity. Could improve over time, or could fall apart, so opt to drink it on the young side just in case.
— J.C.
(4/1/2010)