The 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape from Chateau de la Gardine is an enjoyable, well-made and still youthful 2006 that offers lots of spice, cedar, ground pepper and dark fruits in a medium to full-bodied, mouth-filling style. Made from 65% Grenache, 15% each of Mourvèdre and Syrah, and 5% Muscardin, it has the balance and concentration to continue evolving nicely for another decade.

The 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape reveals beautifully sweet berry fruit intermixed with hints of garrigue, pepper, a resiny pine forest sort of note as well as plenty of licorice and spice. It is dark ruby/purple and displays moderate tannin but copious fruit and glycerin. Drink it over the next 12-15 years. The Brunel family has long been estate bottlers and one of the benchmark producers of Chateauneuf du Pape, working from the northwestern sector of the appellation. Their wines can be counted on to age as well as any in the Southern Rhone. There are three, and sometimes four cuvees produced, with the limited production Peur Bleu a wine made with no SO2 whatsoever; hence, it's best bought and drunk in France as opposed to risking consumption abroad. Then of course, there is their traditional cuvee of Chateauneuf, and their more limited but exquisite Cuvee des Generations, meant for 25 or more years of aging potential. The 2006s have turned out even better than I thought last year.Importer: Shaw-Ross, Miramar, FL; tel. (954) 430-5036