5 | Wine | Chateauneuf Du Pape | Page 4

"A very juicy, unctuous, fruit-driven style, with flattering plum, warm linzer torte and boysenberry fruit melded together and backed by lively anise and sweet spice notes. There's a good sappy feel through the finish. For fans of the not-shy style."

"Ripe, with the lush crème de cassis and crushed plum fruit of the vintage, showing excellent focus and drive, with racy acidity and taut, licorice-tinged structure. Turns flashy and exotic on the finish, with mulled blueberry, incense and fruitcake notes that are laid over impressive, graphite-filled grip."

"This exotic red boasts notes of black truffles, roasted meats, charcuterie, incense, blackberries and black cherry liqueur intermixed with hints of roasted herbs and licorice. Full-bodied, dense and as concentrated as the estate’s extraordinary 2007, the spectacular 2010 needs 2-4 years of cellaring, and will age gracefully over the following two decades." -Robert Parker

"Bright red. Raspberry, cherry and allspice on the sexy, highly perfumed nose. Offers an array of red fruit and floral pastille flavors that become deeper with air, The floral quality comes back strong on the finish, which features fine-grained tannins and a lick of peppery spices."

"The 2010 is a fabulous wine of exceptional intensity, tremendous flavor authority and full-bodied power. Very rich with lots of Provencal herb, smoky, meaty, kirsch, black currant and blackberry notes, it is a stunningly viscous, thick and rich effort with a slightly more vibrant finish." -Robert Parker

"Gorgeous kirsch liqueur notes, raspberry jam, forest floor, spice box, new saddle leather and a peppery spiciness are all present in this deep, voluptuously textured, open-knit Clos des Papes, which is atypically forward, luscious and approachable already. These wines often need a good 5-10 years of cellaring in the more structured vintages, but the 2009 is gorgeous from the get-go. This full-bodied, deep, concentrated wine has a deep purple color and should drink well for 20-25 years without ever really closing down." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Classic black raspberry, black cherry, garrigue, and lavender notes hit the palate with considerable authority. The Syrah component provides a slightly deeper purple hue to the color than is apparent in some other vintages. The extra level of concentration due to the tiny yields has resulted in a full-bodied, rich wine with super purity. It is already accessible, and should keep for 10-15 years." -Robert Parker

"A sensational effort, the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes was aged in 2- to 3-year-old barrels. Incredible aromas of roasted Provencal herbs, licorice, truffles, kirsch and black raspberries jump from the glass of this dark ruby/purple-hued wine. Full-bodied and voluptuous as well as extremely elegant and poised, the sweetness of the tannin and the wine’s unctuosity and viscosity are all remarkable. This is a blockbuster, old vine Grenache to drink over the next 15+ years." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"It exhibits a deep ruby/purple color, stunning concentration and lots of raspberry, cassis, blueberry and acacia flower notes. With plenty of glycerin, sweet tannin, a long, heady finish and 15%+ alcohol, it should evolve effortlessly for 15 or more years."

"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