The 2009 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes is a blend of 75% old vine Grenache 15% Syrah and the balance a mix of Cinsault Mourvèdre and Vaccarese with the Grenache seeing only tank and the Syrah and Mourvèdre components aged in larger oak barrels. Showing a similar profile to the straight Châteauneuf-du-Pape (it's basically the same wine just with older vines) yet with more girth and richness the wine displays gorgeous kirsch white chocolate licorice sweet spice and flower oil-like qualities on the nose. This is followed by a full-bodied brilliantly textured wine that has a seamless downright sexy profile of ripe fruit solid concentration and fine tannin on the long finish. This beauty can be consumed now or cellared for a decade.

Similar in style to the 2011, yet with additional richness, the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes boasts knockout aromas and flavors of blackberry liqueur, orange rind, sweet spice and crushed flowers to go with a full-bodied, rich, layered and sexy feel on the palate. A gorgeous effort that's hard to resist now, it will nevertheless have 15 years or more of evolution. - Jeb Dunnuck

Features perfumy aromatics but still a bit tight with an iron-bound core of cassis raspberry and blackberry fruit backed by graphite and black tea notes on the racy finish. Should unwind with modest cellaring. Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre Cinsault and Vaccarèse. Best from 2012 through 2021. 1011 cases made. -JM