2007 Chateauneuf du Pape

A fruit-driven, pure, clean Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the 2007 Domaine de Cristia delivers loads of blackberry liqueur, licorice, smoked herbs, and mineral to go with a medium to full-bodied, rounded, lush mouth feel. Impressively balanced, with solid underlying structure sitting under all of the fruit, this is drinking beautifully now, yet held up admirably over the multiple days I had the bottle open. It should easily continue to shine through 2020.

(90% grenache and 10% syrah) Deep ruby. Sexy aromas of raspberry and blackberry preserves, potpourri and Asian spices. Weighty but fresh, with sweet dark berry flavors and impressive mineral lift. This has become more energetic since bottling and shows a very sexy, open-knit personality; I slightly underestimated it last year. The finish is juicy, focused and impressively persistent. (JF Wine Imports, Largo , FL; Wine Warehouse, City of Commerce CA

Bright ruby. Deep, smoky aromas of dark berries and singed cherry, with licorice and iron notes adding complexity. Sappy blackberry, cassis and cola flavors are firmed by gentle mineral qualities and dusty tannins. On the serious side today: I look forward to trying this again next year and suspect it will be sweeter and more energetic.