Made from an identical blend, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape is more interesting. It exhibits a deep plum/ruby color along with attractive black cherry and black currant fruit intermixed with sweet licorice, white chocolate and tobacco leaf notes. Medium-bodied and elegant, it is best consumed in its first decade of life.
Given how many superb wines have been made by the Coulon family at Beaurenard, the 2011s and 2010s are somewhat of a let down. One of the oldest estates in the region (they have records going back to 1695), Beaurenard was among the first to begin using small new oak for their top cuvee. That was over 25 years ago. The Coulons are extremely generous and it is well-worth a visit given their library of ancient vintages. They own over 80 acres in Chateauneuf du Pape divided among a mind-boggling 25 parcels spread throughout the appellation, making a harvesting strategy always a challenge. The Cuvee Boisrenard, first produced in 1985, is composed of 60% Grenache and the rest a mix of the other authorized grape varieties from the estate's oldest vines (65- to 105-years-old). The Coulon family's 2011 white Chateauneuf du Papes are more similar than dissimilar.
Importers: A Christopher Cannan Selection, Europvin; Lauber Imports, Somerville, NJ; tel. (908) 725-2100 and Ruby Wines, Avon, MA; tel. (508) 588-7007