Bright red. High-pitched aromas of redcurrant, raspberry, rose petal, and Asian spices, lifted by a mineral quality. Suave, silky and alluringly sweet, offering penetrating red fruit flavors and slow-mounting florality. This refined, focused wine stains the palate with perfumed flavors of raspberry and garrigue. This has the juicy acidity and spine to reward cellaring but I find it awfully delicious now.

The 2008 Pignan Chateauneuf du Pape is also very good. Although light ruby in color, it offers plenty of kirsch liqueur, roasted Provencal herb, and earth notes. Supple and round, it is ideal for drinking during its first 7-8 years of life. (Not yet released) 2007 may be Emmanuel Reynaud’s greatest vintage since he took over the management of this estate when his uncle, Jacques Reynaud, died in 1997. Importer: Martine’s Wines, Novato, CA; tel. (415) 883-0400