2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve Auguste Favier

Up there with best of the vintage, the brilliant 2006 Domaine Saint Préfert Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve Auguste Favier boasts an intense, yet suave, elegant profile with captivating aromas of kirsch liqueur, licorice, Asian spice, roasted meats, and dried garrigue on the nose. Silky, seamless, and with the standard Saint Préfert elegance, this exceptional 2006 is still youthful and fresh, with a solid 12-15 years ahead of it. While I think it will be even better in 2-3 years, it’s no slouch now, and is thrilling drink. I continue to be more and more impressed by this estate, and lovers of pure, unadulterated Grenache should not miss these wines!

(80% grenache and 20% cinsault, from older vines) Deep red. Vivid red berry, cherry and floral aromas are deepened by smoky minerals and licorice. Alluringly sweet strawberry and raspberry flavors are enlivened by a strong mineral component. Turns richer on the finish without losing clarity, leaving sexy red fruit and floral notes behind.

Heady black fruits. Very big, bold and bouncing – sure to give pleasure – in fact it is almost wagging its tail. Great balance with very fine tannins. Lovely tarry note as well as the black fruits and very Châteauneuf. Grenache with a bit of Syrah and Cinsault (JR)