CDP Réserve des Célestins, Henri Bonneau 2007

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.

Tasting like the essence of Provence, Bonneau’s 2007 Châteauneuf du Pape Reserve des Célestins is ruby-hued with an incredible perfume of kirsch liqueur, new saddle leather, Provençal garrigue, lavender, and exotic spices, and it just about jumps out of the glass with overflowing character. Deep, full-bodied, exuberant, and incredibly sexy, with sweet tannins and a great finish, it reminds me of the 1990 and is a heavenly bottle of Châteauneuf du Pape to enjoy over the coming 10-15 years. 2023-2038

A slightly roasted nose with coffee bean and kirsch aromas and freshly cut mushrooms. Full-bodied and very rich with high alcohol but the acidity remains strong. Very much of its powerful, roasted vintage, taking a little leathery, mushroom side. Complex and ready now, don't wait too long. 2020-2027

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.