In the same mold as the 2009, the 2007 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Quartz is an incredibly, sexy, Provençal, crazily perfumed beauty that could come from nowhere else. Lots of kirsch liqueur, blackberries, garrigue, licorice, and incense notes dominate the bouquet. Full-bodied, opulent, and powerful on the palate, it has sweet tannins, remarkable purity, and a great, great finish. It’s another tour de force from this estate that’s drinking at point today.

The prodigious 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Quartz (85% Grenache aged totally in foudres and the rest Syrah which is aged in small barrels) has terrific floral raspberry and black cherry notes intermixed with a striking minerality and precision. A Musigny grand cru Burgundian style of wine with power and elegance a thoroughly compelling flavor profile and a rich intense finish the tannins are sweet and the well-integrated acidity gives uplift to the wine. Stunningly proportioned yet never heavy this is a sensational wine that should only get better over the next few years and last for 15 or more. A small but sensational estate (just under 25 acres) Le Clos du Caillou came to my attention when the property was acquired in the mid-1990s by Jean-Denis Vacheron and his wife Sylvie. After a succession of brilliant wines Jean-Denis was tragically killed in an automotive accident in 2002 leaving his widow to run the estate with the assistance of two terrific oenologists from Chateauneuf du Pape Bruno Gaspard and Philippe Cambie who started in 2001 (coincidentally when I gave a perfect score to their Reserve Chateauneuf du Pape). It has taken a few years to get the estate back to the level that existed there between 1998 and 2001 but that has certainly been accomplished over recent vintages. All three Chateauneuf du Papes in 2007 merit significant attention.

Really gorgeous, delivering layer upon layer of fig, boysenberry, blackberry and blueberry fruit, which stay polished and driven, while graphite, black tea and pastis notes fill in the background. Very rich, but supersilky, with great buried acidity. Drink now through 2029. 968 cases made. — JM

This blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah produces such a great style of Chateauneuf du Pape. Buckets of fresh, cherry liqueur, pepper, black raspberry jam, spice, earth and herbs pour of the glass. Thick, rich and full bodied, this generous, round, intense wine leaves a lasting impression of spicy dark cherries and plums on your palate. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2007&wine=Le%20Clos%20du%20Caillou%20Chateauneuf-du-Pape%20Domaine%20du%20Caillou%20Les%20Quartz