The dense ruby/purple-colored 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape is a blend of 70% Grenache and the rest Syrah, Mourvedre and tiny dollops of Cinsault, Counoise, Muscardin, Terret Noir and Vaccarese, and spends 12-15 months in large, conical oak vats. It offers up notes of unsmoked cigar tobacco, roasted herbs, spice box, black currants, raspberries and cherries. Medium to full-bodied and luscious, it is ideal for drinking over the next decade. One of the great old families of Chateauneuf du Pape, the Coulons have been biodynamically farming their vineyards for decades, which can’t be easy given the fact that they own over two dozen parcels spread throughout the appellation. The 2009s performed even better this year than they did last year prior to bottling. Both 2010s were primary and extremely young. Having tasted in Chateauneuf du Pape at the same time of year (usually 11-12 months after the harvest) for many years, few vintages seemed as young and primary as 2010 (others were 2007 and 1998). Importers: A Christopher Cannan Selection, Europvin; Lauber Imports, Somerville, NJ; tel. (908) 725-2100 and Ruby Wines, Avon, MA; tel. (508) 588-7007

The dense ruby/purple-colored 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape is a blend of 70% Grenache and the rest Syrah, Mourvedre and tiny dollops of Cinsault, Counoise, Muscardin, Terret Noir and Vaccarese, and spends 12-15 months in large, conical oak vats. It offers up notes of unsmoked cigar tobacco, roasted herbs, spice box, black currants, raspberries and cherries. Medium to full-bodied and luscious, it is ideal for drinking over the next decade. One of the great old families of Chateauneuf du Pape, the Coulons have been biodynamically farming their vineyards for decades, which can’t be easy given the fact that they own over two dozen parcels spread throughout the appellation. The 2009s performed even better this year than they did last year prior to bottling. Both 2010s were primary and extremely young. Having tasted in Chateauneuf du Pape at the same time of year (usually 11-12 months after the harvest) for many years, few vintages seemed as young and primary as 2010 (others were 2007 and 1998).Importers: A Christopher Cannan Selection, Europvin; Lauber Imports, Somerville, NJ; tel. (908) 725-2100 and Ruby Wines, Avon, MA; tel. (508) 588-7007