2010 Chateauneuf du Pape

A brilliant wine in a superb vintage, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape checks in as a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah and 10% Cinsault that comes mostly from the famed La Crau lieu dit (small part from Valori). Seeing 24 months in barrel, it’s a deep, concentrated and meaty effort that oozes notions of black fruits, licorice, lavender and mulled spices on both the nose and palate. Dense, chewy and full-bodied, it is still backwards and tight, with some upside. Give it another year or two and enjoy over the following decade. Drink 2015-2025. While I was able to taste through the full lineup of Louis Barruol’s wines, I’ll just report here on his Chateauneuf, as his Gigondas (which are superb!) and Cotes du Rhones will be covered in a subsequent report due out at the end of this year. Rest assured, this estate is firing on all cylinders. Importer: Country Vintners, Ashland, VA; tel. (804) 752-3670; Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173