| Score: |
100 RP.
"This was more than made up for by the 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape le Secret du Sabon, which was insanely good. Still inky in color (as are most of the top 2001s), it has incredible aromas of cassis, licorice, red wine marinade, roasted meats and bouquet garni that flow to a full-bodied, massive, yet seamless and layered wine that never puts a foot wrong. I don't know if I prefer it over the '07 or '10, but its monumental stuff, without a doubt. A brilliantly run estate, Domaine Roger Sabon covers close to 44 acres that are spread throughout the appellation, and the wines have been made by Didier Negron since 2001. This retrospective focused on their top cuvee, the Secret des Sabon, which is a field blend of roughly (the exact blend is a "secret") 90% Grenache with the balance other permitted varieties (from 100-year-old vines), that's aged all in 600-liter barrels. While the first released vintage was 1998, they also bottled a small amount in 1990, 1995 (the only one I've tasted? superb) and 1996." eRobertParker.com #214, Aug 2014 |