Possibly the finest example of the Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee du Papet since Mont Olivet’s unreal 1990, the 2010 is a blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah, all aged in foudre. The grapes come from the estate’s oldest vines (50- to 105-years-old), which were planted in the famous sites of Mont Olivet and Bois Dauphin. A extraordinarily deep plum/purple color is followed by notes of balsam wood, raspberries, black currants, lavender, garrigue, kirsch, licorice and underbrush. This quintessential Chateauneuf du Pape smells like an open-air Provencal market. It is a full-bodied, full-throttle, multilayered wine with exceptional concentration, power and precision. While it can be approached now, it will not hit its prime for another 3-4 years, and should last for two decades given how well the 1990 continues to perform. One of the first properties to estate bottle their wines (over 80 years ago), Clos du Mont Olivet is owned by a branch of the Sabon family, a name that is well-known throughout the village of Chateauneuf du Pape. Various American importers including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300; David Hinkle, North Berkeley Imports, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 848-8910; Dionysus Imports, Manassas, VA; tel. (703) 392-7073; Ideal Wines and Spirits, Medford, MA; tel. (617) 395-3300; The Wine Company, St. Paul, MN; tel. (651) 487-1212; and Import Wines, Middleton, WI; tel. (608) 833-8622

Still dark in colour. Taking on some balsamic notes and roast veal aromas. Has a lovely fullness on the palate, it's a grand and serious style of wine. Good acidity, with slightly warming alcohol but good length. Tannins are a bit tight still, so I would wait a few more years before opening. Very long, dark, savoury and architectural. Give it some time to relax. Small vintage due to coulure on the Grenache; then a hot growing season.

The 2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Cuvée du Papet is flat-out stunning. Prominent spice box, forest floor, ivy, dried red fruits and cassis pastilles race out of the glass. Precisely outlined by ripe tannins, the full-bodied 2010 carries spot-on balance, superbly integrating its elevated alcohol. Totally savory and wonderfully layered, this is a terrific La Cuvée du Papet that should continue to drink well for another ten years. That said, there’s no need to wait—it has already entered its broad drinking window.