The outstanding 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape reveals attractive black cherry, black currant, licorice, roasted Provencal herb and forest floor notes in its long, deep, seriously endowed medium to full-bodied personality. There is enough structure to sustain this wine for up to a decade. This estate’s 36+ acres are all located in the northern tier of Chateauneuf du Pape, in such well-known vineyard sites (or, as the French call them, lieux-dits) as Chapouin, Coudoulet and La Gardiole. For years, most of Berthet-Rayne’s wine was sold to leading negociants, and while some still is, they now produce about 2,000 cases of their traditional cuvee of Chateauneuf du Pape, followed by just under 1,000 cases of an oak-aged cuvee and 200 or so cases of a luxuriously rich offering called Cadiac. The 2011s are very good. The bottled 2010s have turned out to be as good as I thought they were last year. Importers: Elite Wine Import Co., Lorton, VA; tel. (703) 339-8150; Eagle Eye Imports, Bloomfield Hills, MI; tel. 734-467-7088; Casa Bruno LLC, Portland, OR; tel. (503) 235-7429 and Blue Coast International, 60 East 42nd Street, Suite 1753, New York, New York 10165,Tel: (212) 867-0073

The charming 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition exhibits a dark ruby/plum color as well as hints of sweet black currants, cherries, garrigue, figs, licorice and roasted herbs. A certain elegance comes from the wine’s fresh acids and beautiful purity. It is meant to be drunk in its first 7-10 years of life. (Not yet released)Although I did not have an opportunity to taste them from bottle, readers may remember that my reviews of the unbottled 2009s in issue #191 included the following ratings: 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition (87-89), 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Cadiac (90-92), 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Fut de Chene (86-88), and 2009 Elixir des Papes (84-86?).Importers: Elite Wine Import Co., Lorton, VA; tel. (703) 339-8150; Eagle Eye Imports, Bloomfield Hills, MI; tel. 734-467-7088; Ted Edward Wine Ltd., New York, NY (no phone number available); and Casa Bruno LLC, Portland, OR; tel. (503) 235-7429