The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape (tasted from a 375-milliliter bottle) is a rich, full-bodied wine that has taken on a distinct chocolaty tone. There is some plummy fruit remaining, but this wine is mature and should be consumed over the next year or two. Larger bottles may have a bit more life left.

The dark ruby/purple-tinged 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Classique has slightly drier tannins in its notes of charcoal, damp earth, strawberry and black cherry jam. It is medium to full-bodied, but the tannins seem slightly less well-integrated compared to the 2010, and the wine is a trifle more angular. It should drink well for at least a decade. Isabel Ferrando is a great story. Coming from the banking business outside of the Rhone but loving the wines, along with her husband, she acquired an estate of over 42 acres and has since added some additional acreage, now totaling 55 acres. Domaine St.-Prefert is one of a handful of estates that made great wines in 2003, following that up with strong performances in 2005 and 2006, producing blockbusters in 2007, and now hitting pay dirt again in 2009 and 2010. The only change she has made during that period is that both in 2009 and 2010, she has gone to 100% stem inclusion during her fermentation. Otherwise, the different blends and the elevage remain the same. If you haven’t discovered it yet, this is an up-and-coming superstar with three cuvees of Chateauneuf du Pape under the label of Domaine Saint-Prefert and her 100% Grenache cuvee under the moniker of Isabel Ferrando Colombis. The cuvee under the label Isabel Ferrando (a label that changes each year) is 100% Grenache made entirely from 60- to 105-year-old vines. The 2010 was aged in 600-liter demi-muids rather than the truncated oak vats that the 2007 was aged in.A Daniel Johnnes Selection, imported by Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300