2006 Chateauneuf du Pape

Bright red. Energetic red berry and cherry aromas are brightened by minerals, dried flowers and anise. Racy redcurrant and wild strawberry flavors are braced by youthful tannins and become sweeter with air, finishing with great snap and sappy length. Reminds me of an elegant Chambolle-Musigny.

The 2006 Châteauneuf Du Pape has always shown well with its gorgeous, mature, graceful style that defines the vintage, and I was thrilled to be able to taste this cuvée during my visit. Red and darker cherry fruits intermix with savory garrigue, white truffles, and supple meaty nuances on the nose, and it shows pure, layered richness on the palate, with supple tannins and incredible depth that continues to evolve beautifully in the glass. Drink 2025-2035. One of the benchmark estates in all of France, Domaine de Marcoux is run today by the talented Sophie Armenier and her son Vincent, who is increasingly active in the vineyard. Sophie's sister Catherine recently retired, and the estate farms 18 hectares in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, eight hectares in Lirac, and just over two hectares of Côtes du Rhône. The estate is located just outside the northern edge of the appellation, with vines primarily in the south (Grandes Serres, Les Plagnes, and Les Galimardes), northwest (Beaurenard, Les Pradel, Maucoil, and L'Arnesque), and in the center (Les Esqueirons, Les Bosquets, and Charbonnière). The classic Châteauneuf-du-Pape is 80% Grenache with 10% Mourvèdre, 7% Syrah, and 3% Cinsault, destemmed and aged 18 months in 75% concrete with 20% large wooden vats and 5% old barrels. The Vieilles Vignes is 100% Grenache aged in foudre from Charbonnière and Esqueirons (Galimardes was removed starting in 2019), and it's one of the world's most profound wines. All of the estates chasing the new "elegant" style could learn something from tasting more Marcoux, an estate that has always produced sensationally pure, seamless, and elegant wines with richness, depth, texture, and character. The whites are also brilliant and increasingly up with the crème de la crème of the vintage. As I've said before, there are few wines I'd rather have in my cellar or on the table.

Saturated red. Extremely fresh, sexy aromas of red and dark berries, smoky minerals and flowers, along with a suave garrigue note. Supple, finely etched raspberry and blackcurrant flavors stain the palate, picking up anise and lavender pastille qualities with air. There's a pinot noir-like grace here that's very interesting, especially married to this amount of depth and power. Finishes very long and precise.