Opaque violet. Smoky cherry-cola and licorice on the nose, with a sexy potpourri quality adding complexity. Smoky, peppery dark fruit flavors are given spine by juicy acidity and pick up fine-grained tannins with air. Very rich but surprisingly lively, finishing with lingering notes of pepper and flowers.

The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Fiancee is the estate’s closest thing to an international stye of Chateauneuf du Pape that Julian Barrot produces. A blend of equal parts Grenache and Syrah, aged in a combination of tank and one- to two-year-old barrels, this wine is the most tannic and backward, a saturated purple color, with notes of licorice, tar, toast, smoke, and black currants. Full-bodied and still unevolved and youthful, this wine will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and keep for 15-20 years.

In the same league as the '06, the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Fiancee is the same blend of equal parts Grenache and Syrah that saw the Grenache aged in tank and the Syrah in 1- and 2-year-old barrels. Showing the incredibly perfumed style of the vintage, with tons of smoked meats, sweet blackberry fruit, liquid pepper and leather, this full-bodied, hedonistic and voluptuous effort doesn't pull any punches, yet always stays balanced, pure and nicely focused. It's a fun drink already, but given the mid-palate depth and overall concentration, it will still be drink nicely at age 20.

The inky/ruby/purple-colored 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Fiancee displays the influence of oak in its internationally styled personality. With soft tannin, rich blackberry and cassis fruit, hints of vanilla and spice box, it will be interesting to see how this broad, rich cuvee ages. Christian and Julien Barrot’s Domaine La Barroche burst on the wine scene with very good 2004s, and sensational 2005s, especially the out-of-this-world 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Pure. These are four very different styles of Chateauneuf du Pape. The Terroir cuvee comes from the well-known sectors called Pialons and Cabrieres, and is a 95% Grenache offering aged completely in foudre. The Fiancee, made from vineyards in Cabrieres and Terres Blanches, is a more modern-styled offering with the Grenache aged in tank and the Syrah in small barrels. The Pure cuvee is made from 100% old vine Grenache planted in sandy soils in Pointu and Grand Pierre, not far from the sandy soils of Rayas. It is aged totally in old wood foudres. Importers: The Sorting Table, LLC, Napa, CA; tel. (415) 491-4724 and Petit Pois, Moorestown, NJ; tel. (856) 608-9644