(94+) The 2009 Domaine de la Solitude (Lançon Père et Fils) Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Cornelia Constanza is 100% Grenache that comes all from sandy soils and is aged mostly in concrete, but with 10% of the blend in new oak. Showing a lighter red, transparent color, as well as gorgeously perfumed aromatics of kirsch, strawberry, sweet spice, fresh flowers, and licorice, the wine is full-bodied on the palate and possesses a voluptuous, yet elegant texture, sweet fruit, good acidity, and silky, ripe tannin on the finish. This needs 1-3 years of bottle age, and it should drink beautifully for 12-15 years.

The 2009 Domaine de la Solitude (Lançon Père et Fils) Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Cornelia Constanza is 100% Grenache that comes all from sandy soils and is aged mostly in concrete but with 10% of the blend in new oak. Showing a lighter red transparent color as well as gorgeously perfumed aromatics of kirsch strawberry sweet spice fresh flowers and licorice the wine is full-bodied on the palate and possesses a voluptuous yet elegant texture sweet fruit good acidity and silky ripe tannin on the finish. This needs 1-3 years of bottle age and it should drink beautifully for 12-15 years. 94+

The lightest in color is the medium ruby-hued 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Cornelia Constanza a sumptuous sexy cuvee that comes from 85-year-old vines. Made from 100% Grenache it is aged primarily in tank with about 10% of the Grenache put in small oak. The 2007 and 2005 Cornelia Constanza are out of this world and the 2009 ranks slightly behind those two offerings. Gorgeously sweet kirsch licorice raspberry and strawberry fruit notes jump from the glass of this medium ruby-colored beauty. Full-bodied round and relatively light on its feet for its high level of glycerin and 15+% alcohol it is drinking well now and should continue to do so over the next decade.

A silky, perfumy style, with mulled raspberry and cherry fruit laced with shiso leaf, sandalwood and iron notes, followed by a long, graceful finish that has good latent grip. This seems rather restrained for now, but has the balance to age nicely, with the fruit really echoing through the finish, which bodes well for cellaring. Best from 2013 through 2028. – JM