2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Val de Dieu

I think the strongest vintage for this cuvee to date (the 2010 is close), the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Val de Dieu is a big, rich, concentrated and age-worthy beauty that offers classic notes of black currants, black raspberries, toasted spices and graphite. A blend of 44% Grenache, 45% Syrah and 11% Mourvedre that was raised in demi-muids and barrels (some new), it still has a kiss of oak, thrilling purity and a huge mid-palate, all suggesting it’s going to be a long-lived Chateauneuf du Pape.

Thrilling stuff, the 2007 Château de Vaudieu Châteauneuf-du-Pape Val de Dieu is a blend of 65% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and 15% Mourvèdre that’s aged partly in new French oak. Deep, decadent and layered, with an incredibly polished feel, it delivers creamy blackberry, roasted herbs, meat juice, and truffle aromas on the nose. While there is no doubt a modern slant here, it’s beautifully integrated into the wine. Full-bodied and pure silk in the mouth, with a seamless, perfectly proportion texture, solid concentration, and a lengthy finish, this top notch Châteauneuf-du-Pape is up there with the best of the vintage. It’s beautiful now (with an hour or two of air), but will be even better in 2-4 years, and have 2 decades of longevity. While it might push the traditionalist’s thresholds, it’s a blockbuster that should not be missed!

Glass-staining ruby. Seductively perfumed aromas of black raspberry, spicecake and incense, with notes of licorice and garrigue adding complexity. Juicy, pliant, seductively sweet red and dark berry flavors become spicier with air without losing their seamless quality. Very smooth and focused on the finish, with the sweet dark berry and spice notes recurring. Sussex Wine Merchants, Moorestown NJ