The star of the show is the 100% Grenache 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Secrets de Pignan. Coming all from sandy soils, it has a polished, classy style in its blueberry, plum sauce, toasted spice and licorice-dominated bouquet. Seeming to show some oak (although I believe this is aged all in tank) and some modern qualities, it stays beautifully balanced and is medium to full-bodied, thrillingly pure, seamless, and has building tannin that emerge on the finish. It’s a fabulous expression of Grenache to drink over the coming decade. - Jeb Dunnuck