One of the most impressive wines in the vintage, the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape (a tank-aged blend of 90% Grenache and the rest Mourvedre, Syrah and Cinsault) comes close to what was achieved in 2007. Showing the ripe, sexy style of the vintage in its crazy good bouquet of black cherries, black currants, garrigue, licorice and cured meats, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a stacked mid-palate, low acidity and a great finish. Drink it anytime over the coming 10-15 years. - Jeb Dunnuck

A traditional muscular and old school Châteauneuf Bravay's 2009 Domaine de Ferrand Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a completely tank aged blend of 94% Grenache and the rest an assortment of varieties. It presents a fantastic complex array of framboise and kirsch-like fruit to go with notions of garrigue roasted meat licorice and spice characteristics on the nose. Seriously structured and long on the palate with plenty of sweet fruit a thick fleshy mid-palate and a brilliant finish it should be given 3-5 years in the cellar and then consumed over the following decade or more.

A lush velvety style with warm linzer torte and currant confiture aromas and flavors layered with perfumy toasted spice and fruitcake notes. Anise and cherries jubilee hang through the finish with a tarry streak as well. Shows lovely mouthfeel and deceptive depth. Drink now through 2022.-J.M.