2007 Chateauneuf-du-Papes in Pennsylvania
Posted August 25, 2009Chateauneuf-du-Pape is a charming village in the south of France which is well known for excellent wines. Located in the southern Rhone valley, production is subject to strict laws indeed, as are most wines in France about which grape varieties may be used, how the wines are made, labeled, etc. Up to thirteen different grape varieties are allowed, but in most cases the wines are blends of primarily Grenache, with lesser amounts of Syrah and/or Mourvedre. Both reds and whites are made, but it is the reds which garner most of the attention.
Earlier this year, Robert Parker of The Wine Advocate wrote in his annual review of wines from this region: "Throughout the Southern Rhτne, 2007 is the greatest vintage I have tasted in my thirty years working in that region."
No small statement from such an influential writer. Of course, such praise has created demand, and with that prices have also gone up.
However, this is one of the times when living in Pennsylvania affords a distinct price advantage. Many high-end wines are bought in advance, with deliveries several months (or more) later. In the interim demand can rise or fall, which affects retail pricing at least in most states. But the PLCB sets retail prices based on their price, regardless of market conditions. Some years they can have a hard time moving high-end items, while in years where demand is high the wines sell as quickly as they are offered.
The following table shows a sampling of 2007 Chateauneuf-du-Papes offered by the PLCB (as of August 25, 2009), the PLCB price and the best price shown on www.wine-searcher.com, along with ratings from various national reviewers:
| Wine | PLCB Price | wine-searcher best price |
Wine Advocate | Wine Spectator | International Wine Cellar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2007 (1.5L) | $175.99 | $249.95 | 98100 | 97 | 9597 |
| Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2007 | $91.99 | $119.95 | 98100 | 97 | 9597 |
| Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2007 | $91.99 | $75.00 | 91 | 95 | 93 |
| Cuvee du Vatican Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve Sixtine 2007 | $51.99 | $39.99 | 91-94 | 91-94 | |
| Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2007 (1.5L) | $112.99 | $119.99 | 94 | 93 | |
| Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2007 | $52.99 | $50.00 | 94 | 93 | |
| Pierre Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve des Deux Freres 2007 | $175.99 | $179.99 | 98-100 | 95-97 | |
| Pierre Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2007 | $43.99 | $29.99 | 90-93 | 89-92 |
Many of these have limited availability in Pennsylvania and are offered only on the www.pawineandspirits.com web site.
Obviously the PLCB price is not always the best price anywhere in the US, but it is encouraging to see that their prices are often very competitive. Keep in mind that on Wine Searcher, the best price is sometimes available from just one particular retailer offering a promotional price, while many other retailers will be offering it at a higher price.
More 2007 Chateauneuf-du-Papes are expected to become available in the weeks ahead, so if you are interested in these wines it would make sense to keep an eye on the www.pawineandspirits.com web site. Alternatively, you can sign up for automatic notification of all www.pawineandspirits.com updates here on PAWineTalk.
Lastly, if these wines are too pricey after all, "good price" is a relative term there are more economical options available from the nearby towns of Gigondas and Vacqueyras. Both are in the southern Rhone valley as well, and their wines are made from many of the same grape varieties as Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
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