2007 Chateauneuf du Pape

The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape, the finest I have yet tasted from Proprietor Michel, is a blend of 95% Grenache and 5% Mourvedre and Counoise aged 12 months in cement tanks. Its saturated purple hue is accompanied by an explosive nose of blackberries, kirsch, lavender, and jammy raspberries. Full-bodied, pure, and opulent, it is the Chateauneuf du Pape equivalent of liquid Viagra. Enjoy this layered, pure, fresh, lively, sexy beast over the next decade. Proprietor Michel appears to produce top wines no matter the appellation. If you can not locate any of the Chateauneuf du Pape, I also highly recommend Cros de la Mure’s Cotes du Rhones. Proprietor Eric Michel is located in the small village of Mondragon (about twenty minutes north of Avignon) which is best known for its superb Provencale cuisine at La Beaugraviere. Importer: Simon N Cellars, Charlottesville, VA; tel. (434) 977-4476

Grenache Noir 90%, Mourvèdre 5%, Counoise 5%. On ancient terraces. Spent 26 months in cuve. Blackish – very dark! Quite volatile sample. Gamey and very much alive. I’d guess this was biodynamic? Long and reverberant. Lots going on there. This is definitely for those who want earthworms in their glass – figuratively. Amazingly active finish. Lots of effort here! (JR)

The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape, the finest I have yet tasted from Proprietor Michel, is a blend of 95% Grenache and 5% Mourvedre and Counoise aged 12 months in cement tanks. Its saturated purple hue is accompanied by an explosive nose of blackberries, kirsch, lavender, and jammy raspberries. Full-bodied, pure, and opulent, it is the Chateauneuf du Pape equivalent of liquid Viagra. Enjoy this layered, pure, fresh, lively, sexy beast over the next decade. Oct 2009, www.robertparker.com