Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 31/10/2010 The 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee stands out as one of the all-time great wines made by Laurence Feraud and her father, Paul. I remember first tasting it from a large tank as it was still fermenting and it was already impressive! It is a full-bodied, powerful wine that must tip the scales at close to 15.5% natural alcohol. I don’t think this big, chewy, voluptuously textured wine will ever close down. Dark plum/garnet with the classic Provencal display of garrigue, lavender, pepper, kirsch and Asian plum sauce, this full-throttle wine has splendid concentration, silky tannins, and a very voluptuous texture. It should continue to drink well for another 25 years. Always one of my favorite places to visit, Laurence Feraud and her father, Paul (a speed fanatic who raced in on a motorcycle during my visit), conducted a fascinating tasting in their cellars. As value hunters know, several of the low end offerings here are wonderful expressions of Provence that deserve to be taken seriously. Under the family’s negociant label, Selection Laurence Feraud, there are some noteworthy efforts that are well worth checking out. As for the Domaine du Pegau estate wines, I had not yet tasted the 2007 Cuvee Reservee or 2007 Cuvee da Capo from bottle, and when I did, they lived up to all my previous accolades. Here are some in-the-bottle reports on recent vintages of Domaine du Pegau’s Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee, Cuvee Laurence and Cuvee da Capo. I have been buying the Cuvee Reservees since 1979 and the greatest examples include the 1981, 1983, 1985, 1989, 1990, 2003 and the 2007. Not that the other offerings are not high quality, but as Shakespeare said, “Comparisons are odious.” As I have written so many times before, there is not much difference between the 2003 Pegau Cuvee Reservee and 2003 Pegau Cuvee da Capo, at least in terms of quality, complexity, and potential. The Capo possesses more kirsch, garrigue, and incense characteristics, whereas the Cuvee Reservee is slightly darker, meatier, smokier, and earthier. Both are extraordinary wines, and for the difference in price, there is no doubt the money is on the Cuvee Reservee, but the Capo is an extraordinary drinking experience. (99)

Offers aromas of freshly crushed plum and blackberry with a Port-like headiness, then pumps out dark berry fruit, bramble, licorice, tar and pain d'épices flavors before a flitter of game and garrigue on the finish. Dense and muscular, but also luxurious. Best from 2008 through 2030. 5,830 cases made.