2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cornelia Constanza

Absolutely brilliant and one of the top wines of the vintage, the 100% Grenache 2007 Domaine de la Solitude (Lançon Père et Fils) Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Cornelia Constanza is a knockout on the nose, boasting fabulous aromas of blackberry liqueur, melted licorice, fresh flowers, roasted meats, and assorted spices, graphite, and young, old vine Grenache like qualities. Unbelievably pure and fresh, yet with a decadent texture, blockbuster levels of concentration, and a full throttle finish, this is a thrill ride of Grenache that should continue to shine for two decades or longer. If drinking anytime soon, don’t be afraid to give it plenty of air.

(100% grenache) Deep ruby. Pungent aromas of raspberry liqueur, incense, smoky herbs and spicecake. Sappy and sweet, with borderline-jammy red fruit character and a seamless, pliant texture. This very alluring wine finishes with strong lift and sweet persistence.

The newest cuvee, first made in 2005, is a 100% Grenache from 80+ year-old vines, the dark saturated ruby-hued 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cornelia Constanza. Aged 80% in tank and 20% in small wood barrels, it offers up aromas of pure kirsch liqueur, licorice, loamy soil, pepper, and spice. The incredibly intense and intoxicating bouquet is followed by a wine revealing plenty of structure and spice, fabulous concentration, and a full-bodied, layered mouthfeel. If you love Grenache, this superb, rich, exceptionally pure offering is a no-brainer. Give it 1-3 years of bottle age, and enjoy it over the following 20-25 years. Brothers Michel and Jean Lancon have one of the appellation’s oldest estates, and as indicated in the fabulous new book on Chateauneuf du Pape by Harry Karis, Domaine de la Solitude first estate bottled their wine in 1815! Quality was fabulous in the sixties and early seventies, then dropped off until about a decade ago. Over the last ten years, these wines have gone from strength to strength, and are now some of the finest of the appellation. They are made in distinctively different styles with the regular cuvee and the Cornelia Constanza very classic interpretations of Chateauneuf du Pape, and the Cuvee Barberini and Reserve Secrete more modern-styled efforts. Essentially, there is something for everyone from Domaine de la Solitude. This large, 100-acre property is one of the few Chateauneuf du Pape estates whose vineyard is situated in one particular sector, the lieu-dit called La Solitude. This was my first look at the 2007s as the estate generally refuses to show unbottled barrel samples, which I totally respect. The proprietors stated that no Cornelia Constanza or Reserve Secrete would be produced in 2008. Importer: David Shiverick, Los Angeles, CA; tel. (213) 483-5900