772 | Wine | France, 2010

"Well made, reasonably priced and delicious. The nose offers plenty of crisp blackcurrant, raspberry leaf and mint aromas that are well defined and have a Pauillac-like personality. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp black smoky fruit. This is very harmonious and focused with a clinical, crisp, focused, balsamic finish. Bravo – this is a great wine."
Reviewed by: Neal Martin - 90 pts

"Alluring, with a polished structure that lets the smoldering bay leaf, anise, steeped plum and warm paving stone notes play out. Shows latent grip and solid depth."

"Abundant amounts of red and black fruits intermixed with hints of tobacco leaf, earthy soil, pepper and spice. This supple-textured, delicious red is exactly what one expects of a very good Cotes du Rhone."-Robert Parker

"Dense but fresh, with a saturated core of blackberry pâte de fruit, anise and plum sauce that races along with vibrant spice and graphite notes. The long finish shows cut and drive, with enough grip to cellar short term."

"The nose is very pure, with honey, passion fruit and quince, whilst the palate demonstrates great freshness and vitality, zippy acidity, with real race towards the linear finish. This holds great promise for the future."

"Complex aromas of red and dark berries, Indian spices and violet, with slow-building smokiness. Taut and focused on the palate, offering lively bitter cherry and black raspberry flavors that pick up weight with air. Juicy and nicely concentrated Cotes du Rhone with strong finishing punch and lingering spiciness."

"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

"Wonderful aromas of crushed blueberries, blackberries and sliced mushrooms follow through to a full body, with a dense palate and very polished tannins. A little chewy but it's a soft textured and delicious. Can't wait to try it with bottle age."