The outstanding, deep ruby/plum-colored 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape (an unusual blend of 55% Grenache, 35% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah) possesses sweet cassis, black cherry, incense and camphor characteristics. Full-bodied and luscious with low acidity, silky tannin and lots of glycerin, it is already showing well and should continue to evolve for at least a decade. This is an up and coming, small, high quality negociant operation run by oenologist, Xavier Vignon and two partners. As I mentioned last year, they have some important clients – Raymond Usseglio, La Gardine, Jerome Quiot, Beaurenard, La Nerthe, Mont Redon, Marcoux and Grand Veneur, to name some of the more prominent. Tasting through this portfolio in September confirmed the efforts they are making to turn out high quality wines at reasonable prices. Importer: AOC Fine Wines, www.aocfinewines.com