1 | Wine | Red Rhone Blend, Chateauneuf Du Pape, $20 to $50

"A sexy, seductive, up-front effort revealing loads of berry fruit along with hints of Provencal herbs, licorice and smoked meats. Evolved, ripe, round, full-bodied and loaded, it can be drunk now or cellared for a decade." 90-92 pts, reviewed by Robert Parker.

"The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape is a traditional blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah and the rest Mourvedre and Cinsault from 50-year-old vines aged in a combination of concrete tanks, old wood foudres and small old barrels. It displays notes of charcuterie, roasted meats, garrigue, kirsch and black currants along with a full-bodied, seriously endowed, super-concentrated mouthfeel that builds like a skyscraper in the mouth. This cuvee possesses remarkable density and richness as well as the potential to last 20 years." -Robert Parker

"The American importer produces a slightly different blend called Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Girard, and the 2009 and 2010 are essentially identical in quality. The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Girard reveals slightly more meatiness and garrigue notes than the 2009, but the two wines are similar in every other aspect. Full-bodied, rich and pure, it, like the 2009, will evolve over the next 10-15 years." -Robert Parker

"Very fleshy and succulent, with dark fig and linzer torte flavors that show anise and blackberry hints. Ample toasted spice and singed alder notes fill in on the finish, and this has a lovely silky feel despite its weight."

"There is not a hard edge to be found in this silky Chateauneuf. ...The sexy, full-bodied, dense garnet-colored 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape reveals abundant aromas of kirsch, plums, figs and black fruits, a lavish texture, an opulent mouthfeel and a long finish."

"The reasonably priced 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape is a slightly downsized version of the Secrets de Pignan. There is more Syrah in the blend and perhaps that is the reason for its spectrum of darker fruits than the Pignan. There is a lot to like here with copious floral notes intermixed with black currant and black cherry fruit as well as hints of sandy soils and balsam wood. Full, rich and very natural tasting, this beauty can be drunk now and over the next decade."

"Dark purple. Ripe cherry and dark berry aromas are complemented and lifted by peppery spice and floral notes. Black and blue fruits on the palate, which shows a supple, seamless texture and very good energy. Finishes sweet and long, with resonating spiciness and harmonious tannins."

"The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape (70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre) is an opaque purple-colored beauty revealing lots of creme de cassis, black raspberry, licorice and camphor notes. Sexy and full-throttle as well as supple and more evolved than many 2010 Chateauneufs, it can be enjoyed now and over the next 10-12 years." -Robert Parker

"Lush and inviting, with smoldering black tea weaving through the fleshy layers of melted fig, hoisin sauce, plum preserves and blackberry pudding. The dark ganache-coated finish has serious grip."