The deeply-colored 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape is a blend of 55% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 15% Mourvedre aged 80% in tank and 20% in small barrels. The 2007 is the finest traditional Chateauneuf since the glorious 1967. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by a sensational perfume of kirsch, cassis liqueur, plums, licorice, roasted herbs, and meat juices. Seriously endowed, full-bodied, broad, savory, and layered, this is a huge, rich, massive wine that will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring, and last for two decades or more. A sleeper of the vintage, it is one of the region’s best bargains if measuring dollars per points. Brothers Michel and Jean Lancon have one of the appellation’s oldest estates, and as indicated in the fabulous new book on Chateauneuf du Pape by Harry Karis, Domaine de la Solitude first estate bottled their wine in 1815! Quality was fabulous in the sixties and early seventies, then dropped off until about a decade ago. Over the last ten years, these wines have gone from strength to strength, and are now some of the finest of the appellation. They are made in distinctively different styles with the regular cuvee and the Cornelia Constanza very classic interpretations of Chateauneuf du Pape, and the Cuvee Barberini and Reserve Secrete more modern-styled efforts. Essentially, there is something for everyone from Domaine de la Solitude. This large, 100-acre property is one of the few Chateauneuf du Pape estates whose vineyard is situated in one particular sector, the lieu-dit called La Solitude. This was my first look at the 2007s as the estate generally refuses to show unbottled barrel samples, which I totally respect. The proprietors stated that no Cornelia Constanza or Reserve Secrete would be produced in 2008.Importer: David Shiverick, Los Angeles, CA; tel. (213) 483-5900