Producer
Patrick Lesec Selections (Southern Rhône)

Region
Southern Rhône, France

Encepagement and Elevage for 2007 Vintage
75% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 5% Syrah
30-50 year old vines
Clay-limestone soil with pebbles
Harvested by hand
Partially destemmed
20-25 day maceration
Elevage 75% in stainless steel, 25% in 1-4 year old barrels

Encepagement and Elevage for 2005 Vintage
70% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah
30-60 year old vines    a blend of 7 lots
85% stainless steel, 15% older barrels
 
Encepagement and Elevage for 2004 Vintage
73% Grenache
7% Syrah
20% Mourvedre
Blended from several vineyard sites. 30-50 year old vines. 50% destemmed, 50% whole clusters. Long, 5 week maceration. Aged 50% in foudre, 50% in tank. Not fined or filtered.

Encepagement and Elevage for pre-2004 Vintages
95% Grenache
5% Syrah
100% La Crau
45-year-old vines. Destemmed. Long, 5 week maceration. Aged 50% in foudre, 50% in tank. Not fined or filtered.

Description
This lovely, perfumed Châteauneuf du Pape is loaded with sweet, lush black raspberry and black cherry fruit. Its fine, soft tannins give it a supple texture, elegant balance and a long, sweet finish.

Reviews for 2000 Vintage
From the Wine Advocate, #145 (Feb 2003): "Points: 92-94. The Chateauneuf du Pape Rubis is a blend of 95% Grenache and 5% Syrah aged in equal parts tank and old wood barrels. All of this cuvee comes from the famed La Crau sector. The fabulous, deep purple-colored 2000 boasts a sweet perfume of blackberries, cherries, beef blood, hot rocks, and licorice. Chewy, thick, and viscous, this sensational wine competes with the vintage's finest estate-bottled Chateauneuf du Papes. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2018." © The Wine Advocate

From the International Wine Cellar (Jan/Feb 2003): "Points: 91. Full medium ruby. Liqueur-like aromas of crushed blackberry, smoke and earth. Lush, sweet, fat and dense; a voluptuous wine lifted by a note of fresh herbs. Subtle, slow-building finish features very ripe tannins and late notes of herbs and pepper. Impressively silky, superripe Chateauneuf that just misses coming off as heavy." © International Wine Cellar

Reviews for 2001 Vintage
From the Wine Advocate, #145 (Feb 2003): "Points: 91-94+. The Chateauneuf du Pape Rubis is a blend of 95% Grenache and 5% Syrah aged in equal parts tank and old wood barrels. All of this cuvee comes from the famed La Crau sector. … The dense ruby/purple-colored 2001 appears to be a worthy rival. Exhibiting more garrigue, lavender, and ground pepper notes in its black cherry, cassis, and plum-scented bouquet, it is a full-bodied example with terrific purity, a multidimensional palate feel, and a long, lusty, decadent finish. It will have 15+ years of aging potential." © The Wine Advocate

Reviews for 2003 Vintage
From the Wine Advocate, #156 (Dec 2004): "Points: 87-89. The only cuvee that was a bit suppressed and muted was the 2003 Chateauneuf de Pape Rubis. From the sectors of La Crau and Cristia, it is mostly Grenache aged in foudre. When I tasted it, it revealed good depth and richness, but was extremely tight." © The Wine Advocate

Reviews for 2005 Vintage
From the Wine Advocate, #173 (Oct 2007): “Points 89.   {2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Rubis}   A surprisingly soft wine made from a blend of 75% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Mourvedre, the wine has a deep ruby/purple color and a classic nose of incense, licorice, kirsch, pepper, and herbs.   It is medium to full-bodied, soft for a 2005, and best drunk over the next decade.” © The Wine Advocate

Reviews for 2006 Vintage
From the Wine Advocate, #173 (Oct 2007): “Points 89-91   The {2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Rubis}is full-bodied, dark ruby/purple, and shows soft tannins and low acidity in a plump, round, generous style with plenty of Provencal typicity.   It should drink well upon release and last 12-14 years.” © The Wine Advocate

From the Wine Advocate, #179 (Oct 2008): “Points 90. Aged 20% in foudre and 80% in tank, the dark ruby/garnet-tinged 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Rubis offers copious quantities of roasted Provencal herbs, meat juices, lavender, licorice, and black cherries. Fleshy and soft, it is best consumed over the next decade.” © The Wine Advocate

Reviews for 2007 Vintage
From the Wine Advocate, #179 (Oct 2008): “Points 88-90+. The closed 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Rubis was displaying abundant tannin, so I expect it was just finishing its malolactic fermentation, which made it difficult to taste. Hence the conservative rating and question mark.” © The Wine Advocate