The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Terre d’Ancetres, which comes from the famed Galets Roules (or small boulder-strewn area of Chateauneuf du Pape), exhibits a dense ruby/purple color, full body and loads of fruit, but more structure, tannin and power than its siblings. This is a big, quasi-massive style of Chateauneuf du Pape that will require 3-4 years of cellaring. It should keep for 15+ years.
This relatively modestly sized estate of just over 22 acres produces around 35,000 bottles of Chateauneuf du Pape. It has been owned by the Chouvet family since 1989, with their first estate wines produced in 1990. All their vineyard holdings are on the eastern fringes of the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation. As many as four wines can be made, and while I tasted the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Empire last year (rated 88-90+), it was not presented this year. All four 2011s were strong for the vintage, and the three 2010s were all impressive. These are all basically Grenache-based cuvees.
Importer: Milton Road Trading, LLC, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 948-MRTC, and Vins du Midi Wine Importing, Eugene, OR; tel. (541) 485-0151