2008 Chateauneuf du Pape

The 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape (80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre, all aged in tank) exhibits a dark ruby color along with attractive aromas of Provencal herbs, damp earth, kirsch and licorice. Medium-bodied and spicy, it is ideal for drinking over the next 2-3 years. As the following tasting notes indicate, this outstanding estate, run by the Maret family (increasingly by daughters Veronique and Caroline), only produced two cuvees in 2008, but five separate wines in 2009. The 2009s are all richer, fuller efforts, but I would rank them behind their 2007 counterparts. Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173

The 2008 Domaine de la Charbonnière Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, is a solid wine that carries a soft, round and delicious character. Spice, raspberry and cherry fruit, mixed with subtle garrigue, show up on the nose and carry into a medium bodied, supple palate. Straight up delicious now, the ripe fruit, good purity and balance suggest this will drink well over the following 8 to 10 years.

Vivid red. Fresh red berry and floral aromas are enlivened by Asian spices and minerals. Here's another 2008 Chateauneuf that acts like a pinot noir, offering sweet strawberry and raspberry flavors, supple texture and good spicy lift. Impressively pure and refreshing wine with very good finishing clarity and length.