2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Pure

From another vintage that flies under the radar, yet always delivers tons of pleasure, the 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Pure is less flamboyant than the 2005 and has more spice, ground herbs, pepper and licorice to go with a rocking core of sweet Grenache Fruit. It's full-bodied, structured and has a touch of dry tannin on the finish that I suspect will probably never completely integrate. Nevertheless, there's ample mid-palate depth and a tons of sweet fruit, which will keep anyone coming back to the glass.

Coming from a single parcel, sandy soils, and 100 year old vines, the 2006 Domaine la Barroche Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Pure (100% Grenache) sports a more savory, mineral, and earth driven bouquet than other vintages, possessing loads of licorice, dried spice, ground pepper, and meaty juice characteristics that are supported by ripe black cherry and raspberry styled fruits. Full bodied and classically structured on the palate, with good acidity, beautiful fruit, and ripe tannin, this should be better in 3-5 years, and have a solid decade or longer of prime drinking thereafter. While not quite as profound as the ’05 and ’07, this is still a stunning expression of old vine Grenache that should not be missed!

(100% grenache) Bright ruby. Vivid red berry and cherry aromas are complicated by garrigue, incense, anise and potpourri nuances. Deeper blueberry and boysenberry flavors join the red fruits on the palate, with gentle spice and mineral notes adding energy. This silky, captivating wine offers superb palate coverage, depth and persistence.