The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige is made from all 13 authorized red varietals as well as the oldest vines, and is partially aged in small new oak casks. It possesses a dense purple color along with a sweet perfume of black currants, licorice, pepper, lead pencil shavings and pen ink. Intense and full, it should prove to be powerful, rich and long-lived, lasting 15 or more years. (Not yet released)This large estate situated on the high plateau of Chateauneuf du Pape, due north of the village, produces two cuvees.Importer: Margate Wine & Spirit Co., Atlantic City, NJ; tel. (609) 348-1100

The full-bodied, dense 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige exhibits lots of classic garrigue, black currant, black cherry, loamy soil, and resiny pine forest notes. It will benefit from 1-3 years of bottle age, and should drink well for 15 years. One of the appellation’s most historic estates, Cabrieres’ archives reveal that vines were planted as far back as the mid-14th century, and the estate was officially established in the mid-sixteen hundreds. Estate bottling began in 1955. Moreover, they own some of Chateauneuf du Pape’s finest vineyards.Importer: Margate Wine & Spirit Co., Atlantic City, NJ; tel. (609) 348-1100

The much more beefed up, more saturated ruby, and fuller-bodied, more complete 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige is richer and fuller than the regular bottling, with similar aromatic and flavor components to the basic cuvee, but more density and richness. It should age nicely for 15+ years.(Not yet released)Various importers.