Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 31/10/2011 Once again the Sabons have hit a home run with their 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige. Opaque purple-hued with a full-bodied mouthfeel, massive concentration, abundant tannin and good acidity, it will not be as drinkable early on as the 2009 Prestige. The 2010 possesses some of the structural characteristics of the 2005, and thus requires 5-6 years of patience. It should keep for an atypically long time for a Chateauneuf du Pape - 25-30 years. It is a brilliant, majestic, massive Chateauneuf du Pape from the Sabons. (Not yet released) This estate has been at the top of its game for many years and any partisan of Rhone Valley wines (especially the southern Rhone) who has not yet tried a wine from Domaine Roger Sabon should make every effort to do so. They produce four separate Chateauneuf du Pape cuvees and have hit home runs in both 2009 and 2010, the finest back-to-back vintages I have ever tasted from this 42-acre estate run by the large Sabon family, in this case, Jean-Jacques, Julien, Gilbert and Denis. They own 15 parcels spread throughout the appellation, most of them concentrated in the western and eastern sectors north of the village. The brilliant 2009s are among the finest of the vintage.

The 2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Prestige shows well. Intense tobacco, dried red fruits, loamy earth, raspberry compote and melted licorice are all pushed forward. Firmly structured, powerful and concentrated, the 2010 is a serious Prestige from Domaine Roger Sabon. It will benefit from two more years in bottle.

Opaque purple. Explosive aromas of candied black and blue fruits, incense and lavender, with suave mocha and Indian spice nuances adding complexity. Lush and expansive but very lively, offering intense black raspberry and boysenberry flavors and a strong floral pastille quality. Supple tannins add shape to a strikingly long, seamless and floral finish.