Readers looking for the bottled essence of Provence should check out the dark ruby/purple/plum-colored 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape, a brilliant blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and 5% Cinsault aged in a combination of old foudres, concrete tanks, and small new oak barrels. Deep, broad, profound plum, fig, cassis, garrigue, and cherry notes are found in both the aromas and flavors, and as the wine sits in the glass, roasted meat blood juices also emerge. Rich and intense with silky tannins, this wine will be even better with another 1-2 years of bottle age, and should last for 15 or more years. I wish I saw more of these wines in the marketplace as I have been a big fan of this estate since I first tasted their 1978s. None of the 2008s were presented for tasting, but the young Alexander Favier appears to be doing everything right. I did not see Chante Cigale’s 100-case cuvee of 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes Extrait from bottle (I rated it (92-95) last year), but it probably turned out spectacularly (of course there is virtually none of it). The two bottled 2007s I tasted were both outstanding. Importers: Elite Estates, Braintree, MA; tel. (781) 348-8000 and Wine Adventures, West Des Moines, IA; tel. (515) 222-0866

Readers looking for the bottled essence of Provence should check out the dark ruby/purple/plum-colored 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape, a brilliant blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and 5% Cinsault aged in a combination of old foudres, concrete tanks, and small new oak barrels. Deep, broad, profound plum, fig, cassis, garrigue, and cherry notes are found in both the aromas and flavors, and as the wine sits in the glass, roasted meat blood juices also emerge. Rich and intense with silky tannins, this wine will be even better with another 1-2 years of bottle age, and should last for 15 or more years. I wish I saw more of these wines in the marketplace as I have been a big fan of this estate since I first tasted their 1978s. None of the 2008s were presented for tasting, but the young Alexander Favier appears to be doing everything right. I did not see Chante Cigale’s 100-case cuvee of 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes Extrait from bottle (I rated it (92-95) last year), but it probably turned out spectacularly (of course there is virtually none of it). The two bottled 2007s I tasted were both outstanding.Importers: Elite Estates, Braintree, MA; tel. (781) 348-8000 and Wine Adventures, West Des Moines, IA; tel. (515) 222-0866