2010 Chateauneuf du Pape le Parvis

The outstanding 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Le Parvis (a blend of Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah) exhibits a dense ruby/color along with plenty of roasted herb, black cherry, lavender and underbrush characteristics. This peppery, spicy, medium to full-bodied, juicy red should be consumed over the next decade. The quality of Ferraton’s wines has been increasing with nearly every new vintage thanks to the efforts of Michel Chapoutier and his number one assistant, P.H. Morel, who has the responsibilities for these wines. I have included a few Southern Rhones that were not reviewed in Issue #203. Some of the 2011 white wines are in bottle, but the more serious cuvees are still in barrel. Ferraton produced four lieu-dit offerings in 2011, which I tasted with Michel Chapoutier and Pierre-Henri Morel. Importer: A French Paradox, Peoria, IL; tel. (309) 682-8994