#3 – 2009 CHÂTEAU DE VAUDIEU Châteauneuf-du-Pape

WS 93

Ripe and very polished, with black currant, blackberry and black cherry fruit allied to solid tannins that are deeply embedded on the finish. Hints of toasty anise, spice cake and graphite fill in the background. The polished feel makes it seem accessible, but this is densely packed and merits cellaring. Best from 2012 through 2022. 1,875 cases made. –JM

The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape is a consumer-friendly, open-knit, precociously styled offering displaying a dark ruby/plum color along with evolved scents of kirsch liqueur, seaweed, underbrush, pepper and spice box. Enjoy this pleasant, round, juicy Chateauneuf du Pape over the next 7-8 years.

This chateau, owned by the quality conscious Brechet family, sits just to the south of Rayas. A large estate of over 175 acres, Vaudieu made only one cuvee in 2009, but three in 2010, include a new offering, the Admiral G.

#4 - 2009 Alain Jaume Vacqueyras "Grande Garrigue"

No Robert Parker nor Wine Spectator reviews.

From The Wine Miner:

70% grenache, 20% syrah, 10% cinsault. Another quintessential Southern Rhone red from the Jaumes. The brawny nose is all herb, red and black fruit, and stone, with significant spice and cocoa components. On the palate the wine is rich with fruit but not unsubtle; rosemary and white pepper team up with assertive -- but not overbearing -- tannin and just enough acidity to achieve balance.

#5 - 2007 Xavier Vins Chateauneuf du Pape

RP 94

The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape is a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and the rest Syrah, Cinsault, Vaccaresecarese and Counoise. The Grenache comes from 90-year-old vines, the Mourvedre from 75-year-old vines, and the rest from vines of at least 25 years of age. The Grenache is aged in tank and the Syrah and Mourvedre are kept in small oak casks. The 2007, which tips the scales at 15% alcohol, exhibits an extraordinary bouquet of garrigue, smoked meats, black cherries, blackberries, licorice and Asian soy. With stunning power, opulence, body, richness and purity, this brilliant Chateauneuf du Pape will age effortlessly for 15+ years.

I visited the three owners of Xavier Vins, the young oenologist, Xavier Vignon, who is the brain trust behind so many of the wines, and his two partners. This relatively youthful, serious negociant company has been doing some extraordinary consulting work in Chateauneuf du Pape, working for such estates as Raymond Usseglio, La Gardine, Jerome Quiot, Beaurenard, La Nerthe, Mont Redon, Maucoil, Roger Perrin, Chateau Marcoux and Domaine Grand Veneur. They access gorgeous fruit from many different appellations and are doing a top-flight job of getting impressive quality into the bottle. Moreover, there are some top values in their portfolio as well.

#6 - 2006 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Collection Alain Corcia "Crème de la Crème"

RP 93

The 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Creme de la Creme is Corcia’s selection of the best lots. A bigger, beefier version of the Cuvee Patricia, it is a classic example of Chateauneuf du Pape. All of these wines are aged in small old barrels prior to bottling."

Ebullient Burgundian wine broker, Alain Corcia, who does some of his best work in the Rhone Valley, offers a solid selection of Cotes du Rhones and Chateauneuf du Papes that are both good values and very fine wines. Corcia’s Chateauneuf du Pape cuvees are strong in both 2006 and 2007. These are selections he makes from several well-known estates on the plateau of Chateauneuf du Pape that undergo slightly different blendings and upbringings. All named after family members, they are more similar than dissimilar

#7 - 2010 Domaine Duseigneur Lirac Astrolobe

RP 92

Made from 100% Syrah, the 2010 Lirac Astrolobe is aged in both concrete tanks (90%) and old barrels (10%). It, too, was bottled without filtration. It reveals tremendous Syrah characteristics (especially for a southern Rhone) such as blackberries, acacia flowers, incense and camphor notes, a broad, expansive texture and superb intensity. Drink this impressive effort over the next decade.

This outstanding Lirac estate is an emerging star in the southern Rhone. From their biodynamic and/or organic vineyards, they produce three separate cuvees of Lirac. Well-known oenologist Philippe Cambie is the consultant at Domaine Duseigneur.

#8 - 2010 Domaine de Pignan Chateauneuf du Pape

RP 89

As for the 2010s, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape possesses copious quantities of black raspberries, black cherries, pepper, roasted meats and loamy soil notes. Made from a blend similar to the 2011, it offers lots of glycerin, a full-bodied mouthfeel, an open-knit personality and a succulent, luxurious finish. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.

Created in 1989, Domaine de Pignan can trace its origins back to an estate called Domaine Antoine Pecoul, which was producing wines in Chateauneuf du Pape in 1855. From his nearly 37 acres of vines, proprietor Frederic Charvin (no relation to Laurent Charvin) has turned in the finest efforts I have yet tasted from Pignan.