Exhibits a gorgeous mix of damson plum cherry preserves fig paste and anise flavors layered with roasted chestnut and mesquite notes all framed by a mouthwatering cocoa powder edge. Refined despite its old-school grippy finish. Well-built for the cellar. Best from 2012 through 2030. 100 cases imported. -JM

Perfumed evolved and complex the 2006 Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Laurence is a blend of roughly 85% Grenache with the rest a mix of Syrah Mourvèdre Counoise Cinsault and Vaccarèse that undergoes an extended aging of 3-4 years in a combination of small barrels and large foudres. The wine is surprisingly evolved and already open for business showing a nuanced bouquet of sweet cassis aged leather meat licorice and garrigue. This leads to a medium to full bodied wine that is all about charm and comfort showing a round soft texture sweet fruit and an overall approachable open profile. While this firms up slightly on the finish and will no doubt evolve and drink well for a decade or longer I don't see any reason to hold off on drinking these...