2007 Clos Saint-Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The sensational 2007 Châteauneuf du Pape is a wine I’ve drunk more than a case of over the past seven or eight years, and it’s probably one of the best value buys in my cellar. Notes of roasted meats, dried herbs, black currants and graphite all emerge from this big, rich, full-bodied Chateauneuf du Pape that has sweet tannin and no hard edges. It's drinking great today but has at least another 5-6 years of prime drinking.

Dark ruby. Ripe dark berries and cherry on the nose, with complicating notes of anise and musky herbs. Fleshy, gently sweet black raspberry and cherry flavors are firmed by fine-grained tannins that fade into the fruit on the back end. Very smooth and seamless in texture, with very good closing sweetness and spicy persistence.

An amazing base wine, the 2007 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape has soaring aromatics of incense, bakers spice, licorice, grilled meat and toasted bread that are mixed with perfumed red fruits. The palate is full bodied, silky smooth, balanced and long with fine grained tannins adding edge and precision. This fantastic wine should drink well for 10 to 12 years.