3 | Wine | What's On Sale, 2007

"One of the finest Chateauneufs made by Guigal, the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape is a blend of 85% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Mourvedre. Full-bodied with lots of kirsch, blackberry, raspberry, camphor and licorice, this is a classic example of both Chateauneuf du Pape and Provencal viticulture. It is aged in both tank and foudre for 3-4 years prior to being released. Drink it over the next 20 years. It is amazing that Guigal can consistently produce a wine of this majesty." -Robert Parker

"Impenetrable ruby red with purplee glints. Wild berries, hints of wood and minerals on fragrances of liquorice, black pepper, tobacco, spices and chocolate. Well-balanced, very intense, persistent and full-bodied and robust; to be consumed more than 5 years after harvest."

"Shows a candied black currant flavor, like wine gum, along with juicy acidity. Light and balanced, with moderate length."

"Scents of white truffle; candied lime and orange peel; and peach could also be those of a Riesling. Firm, polished, and palpably full of stuffing, yet succulent and downright refreshing in a way Alsace Pinot Gris seldom is, this brings varietally recognizable smoke and lip-smacking saline savor in its finish. As a classic (read: “old-fashioned, dry-tasting”) Alsace Pinot Gris that should drink well for at least 8-10 years, this represents an exceptional value … and if you consider the price of white truffles, it’s a steal!"

"The 2007 Pinot Noir Cellar Reserve it was fermented with native yeasts, remained on its lees with minimal batonnage, and was bottled without fining or filtration. Medium ruby-colored, it offers up a fragrant perfume of cedar, smoke, violets, black cherry, and black raspberry. Silky on the palate with a bit of underlying structure, it has good depth and concentration, succulent fruit, and 3-4 years of aging potential."

"A remarkable pungency and brightness of rhubarb preserves, pink grapefruit marmalade, and glazed pineapple laced with lime and sage oil scent the Weinbach 2007 Gewurztraminer Mambourg Selection de Grains Nobles and generate an electrically charged, sweet and tart palate impression, with 128 grams of residual sugar cut down to mere sweetness by atypically high acids and implosive extract. Seldom will one encounter a Gewurztraminer with remotely this sort of vivacity, and tasted blind I would more likely have guessed this to be a Muscat or Scheurebe. The finish is amazingly penetrating, if a bit raw."