One of the greatest Châteauneuf du Pape out there, the 2010 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Papet is mostly Grenache (there's 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre) that wasn't destemmed and was brought up all in foudre. A quintessential, old school, heavenly wine, its ruby/plum color is followed by a classic Southern Rhône bouquet of red and black fruits, seaweed wrapper, iron, peppery garrigue, and Provençal spices. Full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful, it has a great mid-palate, still present tannins, and a great finish. It appears to have finally entered its prime drinking plateau, where it will keep for another 10-15 years and have a gradual decline thereafter. Hats off to the estate for an incredible wine, and readers should do their best to beg, borrow, or steal to get ahold of some bottles.

Possibly the finest example of the Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee du Papet since Mont Olivet's unreal 1990 the 2010 is a blend of 75% Grenache 15% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah all aged in foudre. The grapes come from the estate's oldest vines (50- to 105-years-old) which were planted in the famous sites of Mont Olivet and Bois Dauphin. A extraordinarily deep plum/purple color is followed by notes of balsam wood raspberries black currants lavender garrigue kirsch licorice and underbrush. This quintessential Chateauneuf du Pape smells like an open-air Provencal market. It is a full-bodied full-throttle multilayered wine with exceptional concentration power and precision. While it can be approached now it will not hit its prime for another 3-4 years and should last for two decades given how well the 1990 continues to perform.

As with the 2010 traditional cuvee the 2010 Clos du Mont-Olivet Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Cuvée du Papet has a very classic structured profile that will demand cellar time. A blend of 75% Grenache 15% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah this delivers gorgeous purity and freshness with perfectly ripe red and black fruits garrigue flowers and spice on the nose. While this has a fleshy rich yet elegant texture with good acidity the core here is firm concentrated and quite tannic. It will be interesting to see how all of this comes together in bottle but there's plenty of potential here. It will be a wine for consumers with cool cellars and an affinity for traditional classically made Châteauneuf-du-Papes (and I count myself among them!)