2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve Sixtine

Vivid purple. Blueberry, cherry and Asian spices on the highly perfumed nose. Sweet and energetic, offering intense black and blue fruit flavors that are lifted and sharpened by juicy acidity. Tannins come on late and help shape the long, fruit-dominated finish.

The 2010 Cuvee du Vatican Chateauneuf du Pape, a sleeper of the vintage, offers delicious black currant and black cherry fruit intermixed with tobacco leaf, licorice, lavender and spice box characteristics. This forward, attractive, full-bodied, richly fruity, seductive 2010 is ideal for drinking over the next 7-8 years. This is one of Chateauneuf du Pape's ancient estates (the recorded history dates back to 1673), long owned by the Diffonty family (presently by Jean-Marc). Their first Chateauneuf du Pape was sold under the estate name in 1902. Jean-Marc is an innovative visionary and when he took over for his father, he invested heavily in temperature-controlled stainless steel and used new oak for the first time. Some of his traditional clients balked at the new styled wines, so he offered a traditional cuvee under the name Cuvee du Vatican as well as his old vine, more modern-styled wine, Cuvee Sixtine. Now, things have changed again. Starting in 2010 there is only one estate wine, called Chateau Sixtine. The second wine is called Manus Dei, and a negociant wine has been launched under the old estate name of Cuvee du Vatican. This may be confusing for longtime customers, but the important fact to remember is that the main wine produced is the Chateau Sixtine. In descending order of quality, one has to start with the Chateau Sixtine. In the past, this cuvee has been composed of 55% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 15% Mourvedre, with the Grenache aged in tank and old foudres, and the Syrah and Mourvedre in small oak casks. Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173

An outstanding Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the 2010 Cuvée du Vatican is a blend of 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and 5% Mourvedre that is aged in a combination of foudre and older barrel. Loaded with toasted spice, licorice, saddle leather, and sweet red and black fruits, this medium to full-bodied 2010 has excellent mid-palate concentration, notable freshness, and chewy, ripe tannin that emerge on the finish. Very traditional in its aromatics and palate feel, this beauty will drink well for a decade.