More open and exuberant than the 2000, with a sweeter core of fruit, the 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape tastes like the essence of this region, with its garrigue, leather, ground herbs and sweet, licorice-laced blackberry fruit. It too is medium to full-bodied, balanced and beautifully textured on the palate, with a mature, yet still youthful profile that’s perfect for prime- time drinking over the coming 2-4 years. One of the softest spoken, yet reflective and hardworking people in Chateauneuf du Pape, Laurent Charvin farms his eight hectares in the northern portion of the appellation, in the lieux-dits of Maucoil, Cabrieres, and l’Arnesque, to a “T”. A sixth generation farmer (his family has been at this site since 1851), Laurent was the first to move away from selling all of their grapes to the negociants, and bottled his first release in 1990. As this tasting shows, his wines are consistently outstanding and age gracefully. In addition, Laurent also excels in the difficult vintages, which is common for vignerons who spend the majority of their time in the vineyards. Remaining staunchly in favor of a single cuvee, Laurent’s Chateauneuf du Pape is always a rough blend of 85% Grenache, 5% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre and 5% Vaccarese. He never destems and the wine sees absolutely no oak, aging 21 months in large concrete tanks. In addition to his Chateauneuf, he produces a beautiful Cotes du Rhone (from the vines located around his house, next to the lieu-dit of Maucoil), and, just recently, a rose. We finished the tasting with a trio of Laurent’s Cotes du Rones, which come from vineyards located around his estate, in the northwestern part of the appellation. It’s always a rough blend of 85% Grenache and the balance Syrah and Carignan, that’s aged all in tank. Importer: Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800

One of the most Burgundian-styled wines of the appellation is Charvin’s Chateauneuf du Pape, made in a style not dissimilar from the classic vintages of its nearby neighbor, Rayas. The deep ruby-colored 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape reveals a gorgeously scented nose of kirsch liqueur, plums, and figs. It boasts an expansive, full-bodied palate, great purity, a sensual, silky texture, and a long, flowing finish with raspberries, cherries, licorice, and a hint of roasted Provencal herbs. Always a model of symmetry, balance, and complexity, this is as complex and elegant as Chateauneuf du Pape gets. Anticipated maturity: now-2016.Importer: Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800