Wine Advisor
Marcoux, Chateauneuf Du Pape 2005
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The blend of the 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape is 80% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Cinsault. Aged primarily in tank and foudres, with a very small percentage in barrel (the Syrah), this wine has a dense ruby/purple color and a beautiful nose of acacia flowers intermixed with road tar, blueberry, black raspberry, and licorice. The wine is smoothly textured, expressively aromatic, and more elegant and not as powerful as other vintages despite the relatively lofty alcohols that this vintage achieved. This wine should be delicious young and drink well for 12 or more years. As I have written in the past, for well over a decade this has been a totally bio-dynamically farmed estate. One of my favorite estates and reference points for Chateauneuf du Pape is that of Sophie and Catherine Armenier. Chateauneuf du Pape, which has made such an extraordinary qualitative renaissance over the last ten to fifteen years, is one of the appellations of France that has an unusual number of women running the show and producing superb wines, and Domaine de Marcoux is certainly one of them. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
A very pure, fresh nose of animal fur, leather, Provencal herbs and blackberry. Superb delineation and lift. The medium-bodied palate is crisp and fresh with a slight grainy texture that I find endearing. Very focused, with stunning nervosity and harmony. Primal and with years ahead of it, this is a magnificent CdP. Tasted November 2006. Drinking 2012-2025.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
2005 was a fabulous year for Marcoux, and the 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape (80% Grenache and 20% Syrah and Cinsault) boasts a dark plum/purple color along with beautiful bouquet filled with scents of flowers, truffles, roasted meats, blueberries, black raspberries, and licorice. This opulent, intense wine possesses heady alcohol as well as a sweet, soft, full-bodied, moderately tannic finish. This beauty is one of the finest traditional cuvees made over the last decade. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020+. This brilliant estate in the northern sector of Chateauneuf du Pape is admirably run by Sophie and Catherine Armenier. They continue to fine tune the wines produced at this biodynamically farmed vineyard, and their white Chateauneuf du Pape is now one of the three or four finest of the appellation. Sadly, they only make about 4,000 bottles of this blend of 66% Roussanne and 34% Bourboulenc. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565
About the Producer
Chateau Marco has 17.5 hectares of vineyards that are biodynamically cultivated. The average age of the vines is 50 years, and some of the older vines are even more than 100 years old. These old vines grow on 2.3 hectares of gravel land and are the raw material for the production of Domaine de Marcoux Vieille Vignes. Marco Winery operates according to the traditional method. After the grapes are harvested, the grapes are individually destemmed, sorted and then fermented in stainless steel tanks for 3 weeks. Among them, the malo-lactic fermentation process also takes place in the tank. After that, the wine is aged for 16 to 18 months in stainless steel tanks or large oak barrels. Chateau Marco produces 3 Châteauneuf du Pape reds and 2 white Châteauneufs, as well as some Cotes du Rhone wines. Château de Pape Marco is a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 5% Syrah and a few other varieties. The Domaine de Marcoux Ephemere is made from 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah, and is a semi-new wine made by sisters Catherine and Sophie. The origin of this wine was purchased in 2002, and the first vintage was 2003. Made from 100% Grenache, Marco Old Vine Special Wine is one of the top wines in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region. It has an amazing style and is extremely enticing, with a pure and wonderful fruity aroma. This wine is expensive and hard to get in the market.
