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Paul Jourdan 2010 “Cuvee Papale” Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Posted by Keith Wallace

Winery Background

This wine is something of a mystery. There is no winery in Chateauneuf-du-Pape with the name Paul Jourdan.  There was a man by that name who owned Domaine Chante Cigale from 1920 t0 1950. He even gave the winery its name. I guess that this wine is an export-only wine label for Chante Cigale. This wouldn’t be the first time they have created a new brand in this way. For instance, the   Favier Reserve Des Oliviers Chateauneuf du Pape came into US wine shops a few years ago. The wine was named after the current owner of Chante Cigale,   Christian Favier.

Chante Cigale

If that is the case, this may very well be sourced from the same inventory that Chante Cigale uses for their fantastic (but unavailable in the US) Extrait Rouge bottling.  In any case, this wine has been in the states since the 2007 vintage with minimal distribution, mostly in upstate New York and Long Island. Each vintage gets great reviews from wine critics like myself, but no one but a very few folks can get this wine.

Food Pairing

For food pairings, Robert Parker has been quoted as saying it pairs well with nearly any type of meat. I get his love of the wine, he singlehandedly made the region famous in America, but I am not so sure it is the perfect pairing for every meal.  

Older bottles are amazing with a braised leg of lamb, especially if it’s finished with a touch of olive oil. A side of Provencal vegetables works very well, too. For younger bottles, though, the best pairing is red meat. And by red, I mean RARE steaks.  A fillet of venison is fantastic, so is buffalo. A good old dry-aged t-bone is a great option, too.

Wine Review

Let’s talk about the wine: It begins with layers of lush velvet. Flavors of savory fig and blackberry coulis are balanced by a quiver of tobacco and spice cutting through the wine’s ample fat. A more elegant leveling of licorice, salted chocolate,  and cassis comes in the finish with a firm grip of tannins. A serious wine collector would be advised to pick up a case of this wine to enjoy over the next eight years.

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