Possessing compelling richness, the awesome, packed and stacked, inky purple-colored 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes possesses remarkable intensity of blackberry and blueberry fruit intertwined with camphor, lavender, licorice and truffle notes. Sensational richness and intensity make this one of the most concentrated, long-lived wines of the appellation.(Not yet released)Don’t miss the following “Best Buys” reviewed in several previous issues: Alain Jaume 2010 Cotes du Rhone Haut de Brune (87), Grand Veneur 2010 Cotes du Rhone Blanc (88), Grand Veneur 2009 Cotes du Rhone Les Champauvins (89), Grand Veneur 2009 Cotes du Rhone Reserve Blanc (89), Grand Veneur 2010 Cotes du Rhone Blanc (91), Grand Veneur 2010 Cotes du Rhone Rose (86), Grand Veneur 2009 Lirac Clos de Sixte (91), and Grand Veneur 2010 Cotes du Rhone Blanc de Viognier (89). Credit Christophe and Sebastian Jaume for making this one of the most impeccably run estates in the Rhone Valley. To reiterate, this is an estate at the top of its game and the wines remain fairly priced as well. The 2010 Grand Veneur Chateauneuf du Papes reveal youthful, crisper, more focused styles than their 2009 counterparts. I suspect their pHs are lower, the total acids slightly higher, and the alcohols perhaps .5 to 1% lower across the board.Importer: Kysela Pere et Fils, Winchester, VA; tel. (540) 722-9228

The debut vintage of the Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes, the 2006 (nearly all Grenache) has totally closed down. It possesses a Chateauneuf du Pape style with a Bordeaux structure. Dense ruby/purple to the rim, it displays a hint of new oak along with sensational levels of kirsch liqueur, licorice, lavender, and loamy soil. Full-bodied and powerful, with high tannin, it is built for the long haul. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2044. This estate, owned by the Jaume family, has been on fire over the last decade. The wines are made in a polished, civilized, modern style, but they do not lack Provencal or Chateauneuf du Pape typicity. In 2006, they added a third cuvee of Chateauneuf du Pape, an old vine cuvee that was mostly all Grenache in 2006, but a different blend in 2007. The real bargain among the Chateauneuf du Papes is their traditional offering. Over the last 4-5 years, Grand Veneur has produced a bevy of terrific Cotes du Rhones, and the following two cuvees are indicative of what they are capable of achieving.Importer: Kysela Pere et Fils, Winchester, VA; tel. (540) 722-9228