Moving to the reds, the 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Barberini is a sensational wine make from 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. This cuvee always shows a modern style in its youth (it’s raised in 35% new French oak), yet this integrates nicely. Today, the 2006 has plenty of typicity in its black currants, roasted herbs, licorice and garrigue-driven personality. Full-bodied, layered and with terrific ripeness, it’s drinking at point, yet will hold for another 4-5 years and have a gradual decline after that.

The dense ruby/purple-colored 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Barberini offers up sweet aromas of charcoal, boysenberries, blackberries, cherries, smoke, and earth. Rich, full-bodied, layered, and powerful for a 2006, with a 40+ second finish, this is one of the finest Chateauneuf du Papes of the vintage. Moreover, it should age for at least two decades. 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