The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape L’Envol (same blend) comes across as slightly more oaky than the 2009, but it is obviously a year younger. It displays similar blueberry fruit with some meatiness and charcoal notes. It is full-bodied, dense, and seems to be somewhat atypical at present, but I am sure it will round into form with another 3-4 years of bottle age. (Not yet released)Michel Maret’s estate of 45+ acres is primarily in the eastern and northern sectors of the appellation, with large holdings in La Crau and the well-known lieu-dit of Brusquieres. His daughters, Caroline and Veronique, seem to be taking over more and more of the responsibilities and add to the remarkable number of women who seem to be in positions of influence and control in Chateauneuf du Pape. There are always four cuvees in the top vintages, but the Marets have added a fifth cuvee, dominated by Mourvedre with the balance Grenache, called L’Envol. This wine is a completely different take on Chateauneuf du Pape, one I am seeing appear more frequently in my tastings. The 2009s all performed better out of bottle than they did last year. These are classic, traditional styles of Chateauneuf du Pape. As insiders know, the finest value from the Maret family is their Vacqueyras made from the 10 acres they own in that appellation.Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173

A more long-term effort is the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape L’Envol (70% Mourvedre and 30% Grenache, aged in two- to three-year-old small barriques). A complex nose of sauteed mushrooms intermixed with meat juices, blueberry, mulberry and tree bark are all present in a completely different interpretation of Chateauneuf du Pape. The color is a healthy deep bluish purple, and the wine medium to full-bodied, tannic and quite young and backward. This will need a few years of bottle age and evolve over the next 15+ years. (Not yet released)Michel Maret’s estate of 45+ acres is primarily in the eastern and northern sectors of the appellation, with large holdings in La Crau and the well-known lieu-dit of Brusquieres. His daughters, Caroline and Veronique, seem to be taking over more and more of the responsibilities and add to the remarkable number of women who seem to be in positions of influence and control in Chateauneuf du Pape. There are always four cuvees in the top vintages, but the Marets have added a fifth cuvee, dominated by Mourvedre with the balance Grenache, called L’Envol. This wine is a completely different take on Chateauneuf du Pape, one I am seeing appear more frequently in my tastings. The 2009s all performed better out of bottle than they did last year. These are classic, traditional styles of Chateauneuf du Pape. As insiders know, the finest value from the Maret family is their Vacqueyras made from the 10 acres they own in that appellation.Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173