Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 31/10/2009 The top Cotes du Rhone, the 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Les Champauvins, is a serious effort that could easily be mistaken for a Chateauneuf du Pape. Sweet black cherry fruit, seaweed wrapper, licorice, pepper, and spice aromas are followed by a wine with a broad, savory mouthfeel, sweet tannin, and a long finish. It should drink well for 4-5 years. This is one of the most ambitious estates as well as burgeoning negociant operations in Chateauneuf du Pape. The two Jaume brothers, Sebastien and Christophe, continue to ratchet up the level of quality with a bevy of brilliant Chateauneuf du Papes and for bargain hunters, some top-flight offerings that include generic Cotes du Rhones as well as Cotes du Rhone-Villages. They also produce an impressive Gigondas. The estate wines, bottled under the name Domaine Grand Veneur, include two of the finest white Chateauneuf du Papes of the village (they own 5 acres of white grapes, a relatively large amount when only 3-4% of the appellation''s production is in white wine). The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape (70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre from 65-year-old vines) is an exceptionally strong effort. Aged in tank (80%) and small oak barrels (20%), it is a dense, full-bodied wine revealing an inky/purple color along with notes of graphite, blackberries, and cassis. With a sumptuous, layered, full-bodied texture, sweet, velvety tannins, and zesty freshness as well as acidity, it should drink well for 12-14 years.
-Wine Advocate #185 Oct 2009

(90-93 pts)
The superb 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape exhibits a deep ruby/purple color followed by notes of cassis, black raspberries, licorice, charcoal, and a hint of camphor. It possesses superb concentration, full-bodied richness, great purity and texture, and a long finish that lasts 35-40 seconds. Drink it over the next 12-15+ years.
-Wine Advocate #179 Oct 2008 (91)