772 | Wine | $50 to $100, 91 to 95, 2010

"Combines richness with elegance and finesse, offering intense, focused citrus-laced pear, honeysuckle and melon notes that expand on the lingering, flavorful finish."

"Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2010 Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz displays pure cassis and black cherry cordial aromas underlying notes of aniseed, violets, pepper and chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is voluptuous and wonderfully balanced between vibrant acid and a medium level of fine tannins. It finishes long and spicy and shows ageing potential."

"More backward and concentrated, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape exhibits a dark ruby/purple color as well as dense, black raspberry, black currant, garrigue, licorice and lavender characteristics. Full-bodied with undeniable elegance, minerality and precision, it needs 2-3 years of cellaring and should keep well for 15-20." -Robert Parker

"Textbook viognier aromas of nectarine, candied lemon, violet and spices. Lush but energetic, offering sappy pit fruit flavors that are energized by zesty citrus pith and white pepper notes. Finishes silky and quite long, with the nectarine and spice notes repeating."

"The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon is brighter, fresher and more vibrant than the 2009. Black cherries, mocha, violets, licorice and graphite all jump from the glass. The 2010 is quite typical of the vintage in its verve, cut, focus and minerality. This is a terrific showing."

"Aromas of apple, lime and ginger. A step up in intensity and minerality from the premier crus; quite ripe and pliant but rather unforthcoming. Best today on the subtle, rising whiplash of a finish, which coats the palate with powdered stone. Very long and gripping wine: am I underestimating it today?"-Stephen Tanzer

"Beautifully proportioned, with a rich mix of currant, blackberry, dried herb, mocha, cedar and tobacco flavors. This is also very tightly structured, worthy of a long decant or short-term cellaring."

"Another blockbuster is the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Origines...exhibits an opaque purple color as well as a sweet bouquet of blackberries, espresso roast, ink and graphite. While clearly a modern-styled Chateauneuf du Pape, it retains plenty of the region's typicity and authenticity. It should drink well for 15+ years." -Robert Parker

"The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape is both a strong effort and a terrific value. Its dark ruby/purple color is followed by lots of loamy soil, underbrush, forest floor, kirsch, licorice and roasted meat characteristics. Full-bodied and layered, the wine builds incrementally in the mouth exhibiting considerable purity, length and texture. It should drink nicely for 10-15 years." -Robert Parker

"Deep purple, with loads of bouquet garni, beef blood, blackberry, kirsch, smoke and truffle, this wine is full-bodied, rich and showing even better than it did last year. I still think it needs 3-5 years of cellaring, and it should last for 25-30 years, as most of the top vintages of Beaucastel do." -Robert Parker