My favorite vintage of this cuvee to date and a knockout wine that is up there with the best of the vintage, the 2010 Domaine de la Solitude (Lançon Père et Fils) Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve Secrète is a blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah that has all of the Syrah and a small portion of the Grenache aged in new French oak. Rich, deep, and powerful, with a saturated, inky color, this delivers a kaleidoscope of aromas and flavors, with notions of blackberry, chocolate, smoke, pepper, graphite, and pot roast-like nuances all soaring from the glass. Where the Cuvée Cornelia Constanza is all Grenache, all the time, this has a (slightly) more restrained profile, while still playing in that full-bodied, decadent end of the spectrum. Very concentrated, structured, and beautifully balanced, this blockbuster needs 4-5 years of bottle age, and will shine for two decades or more.

A blend of roughly 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah that was brought up in 60% new barrels, the sensational 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape la Reserve Secrete is a big, concentrated bruiser whose inky purple color is followed by tons of jammy blackberries, hints of cassis, spice and violets aromas and flavors. Its oak elevage has been completely absorbed by its wealth of fruit, and this full-bodied Chateauneuf du Pape has a stacked mid-palate, building tannin and a great finish. It's just now starting to be drinkable, yet it still needs short term cellaring and will drink well for two decades or more. - Jeb Dunnuck