2010 Domaine Charvin Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Bright purple. Heady red and dark berry preserve and floral aromas, with bright spice and mineral nuances adding vivacity. Concentrated but impressively energetic, offering sappy black raspberry and blueberry flavors that are firmed by zesty minerality. Smoothly plays richness off finesse, finishing on a resonating note of candied flowers.

More backward and concentrated, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape exhibits a dark ruby/purple color as well as dense, black raspberry, black currant, garrigue, licorice and lavender characteristics. Full-bodied with undeniable elegance, minerality and precision, it needs 2-3 years of cellaring and should keep well for 15-20. This small, 20-acre estate owned by the Charvin family is located in the northwest sector of the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation. It has long been one of my favorites for the elegance, purity and sensuality of the wines. The first estate bottling took place in 1990. Prior to that Laurent and his father, Gerard, tended to sell much of their production to negociants such as Marcel Guigal. Aside from their vin de pays and Cotes du Rhone, they produce one cuvee of Chateauneuf du Pape from 85% Grenache and the rest Syrah, Mourvedre and Vaccarese. No white Chateauneuf du Pape is produced. The Charvin Cotes du Rhone is one of the noteworthy value picks in just about every vintage. Importer: Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Uniontown, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800