The 2010 Domaine de la Charbonnière Châteauneuf-du-Pape certainly looks to continue the trend of an outstanding base cuvee. A tank aged blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah the wine shows a pure focused profile with impressive aromas of blackberry and black raspberry fruit big spice meat and a complex underbrush like quality on the nose. On the palate the wine shines with outstanding purity to go with a fleshy mouth filling texture good balance and a classic finish. The fruit should allow this to drink well on release but I think it should benefit from 2-3 years in the cellar and then have a decade of evolution.

The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape is both a strong effort and a terrific value. Its dark ruby/purple color is followed by lots of loamy soil underbrush forest floor kirsch licorice and roasted meat characteristics. Full-bodied and layered the wine builds incrementally in the mouth exhibiting considerable purity length and texture. It should drink nicely for 10-15 years.