The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee (of which I was lucky to find a magnum on a Paris bistro’s wine list a week after my tasting at the estate) is a brilliant effort that ranks alongside the colossal 2003 Cuvee Reservee. A blend of approximately 85% Grenache, 8-9% Syrah, and the rest Mourvedre and other varietals from 50-100+ year old vines aged in foudre, it exhibits a dense plum/purple color along with a big, sweet bouquet of beef blood, grilled herbs, barbecue smoke, lavender, sweet cassis and kirsch and a hint of Asian soy. The wine possesses a fabulous texture, a full-bodied mouthfeel and a seamless integration of tannin, acidity and alcohol. Certainly the alcohol level is pushing 16% in this wine. With extraordinary texture and unctuosity, this remarkable effort should drink well for 20+ years yet be very appealing in its youth given the glycerin, velvety texture, and remarkable complexity.

A wine I've probably drunk a case or more of since release, the full-bodied, fat and concentrated 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee is certainly a great wine from this estate. Reminiscent of the 1990 with its voluptuous, sexy and ethereal texture, this still deep ruby colored Chateauneuf du Pape is as Provencal as Provence gets, with killer notes of roasted herbs, soy, beef blood, lavender and garrigue. While this wine was a touch erratic in its youth, recent bottles have been much more consistent and I suspect it's just now starting to enter its long window of prime drinking.

Component #1: Inky purple. Expressive aromas of black and blue fruits, Asian spices, smoked meat and lavender. Very fresh in the mouth, with lively blackberry and boysenberry flavors, velvety texture and a late note of cracked pepper. The smokiness carries through the long, sweet finish. Component #2: Full purple. More energetic than the first sample, with bright raspberry, cherry and floral aromas. Racy and focused, offering sweet raspberry and strawberry preserve flavors and tangy minerality. Gains weight and a smoky, meaty quality on the broad, sweet finish. The final blend should be exceptional.