Given the brilliance of this estate’s Chateauneuf du Papes, it is not surprising that they have also turned out a delicious, attractive, elegant, deep, berry fruit-filled 2007 Cotes du Rhone. With a velvety texture as well as wonderful length for a wine of this pedigree, it can be enjoyed over the next 1-2 years. Readers would be hard-pressed to find a better portfolio of 2006 Chateauneuf du Papes than this one produced by the Lancon family at Domaine de la Solitude. This historic Chateauneuf du Pape estate went through a period of mediocrity, but recently, spectacular wines have been created from their sensational old vine holdings throughout the appellation. There are now four cuvees, with the regular Chateauneuf du Pape a blend of 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Cinsault, and the balance Mourvedre, aged 80% in tank and 20% in barrel. The Cuvee Barberini is composed of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah aged in tank (65%) and small barrels (35%). As for the Reserve Secrete, it is 65% Grenache and 35% Syrah aged in small barrels (60%) and tank (40%). The newest offering, the Cornelia Constanza, is 100% Grenache aged in tank (95%) and barrel (5%). All of the fruit emerges from the estate’s large holdings of red wines in one of the most favored and renowned sectors of Chateauneuf du Pape – La Crau.Importer: David Shiverick, Los Angeles, CA; tel. (213) 483-5900