The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Peur Bleu is composed of 50% Grenache and the rest equal parts Syrah and Mourvedre aged in larger demi-muids. Only several thousand bottles were made, and while it always tastes good in Chateauneuf du Pape, I wonder how well it travels, although its high alcohol and super concentration should benefit it. However, readers should remember that these type of wines are extraordinarily fragile. While I admire the intention, it is a real gamble if the wine hits heat along its voyage to a foreign destination. This wine reveals much of the character of the Traditional cuvee, but with sweeter notes of kirsch and roasted Provencal herbs. A large estate of over 120 acres, Chateau de la Gardine can trace its existence back to the late 1600s. This is another of the rare domaines in Chateauneuf du Pape where virtually all of their vineyards are contiguous, located in the northwestern sector of the appellation. La Gardine has long been owned by the Brunel family who have been vineyard owners since 1670, but only acquired this property in 1945. It is one of the many estates in Chateauneuf du Pape where a woman has a major role in making the wine. In this case, it is Marie-Odile Brunel. Four cuvees are made, the major ones being their Traditional offering and their long-lived (25-30+ years) Cuvee des Generation. Over the last decade La Gardine has introduced a wine bottled without sulphur, a dangerous and risky venture, called Peur Bleu. They also produce l’Immortelle, a small cuvee (100 or so cases) made of equal parts Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah from 100% unstemmed grapes. It is meant to age 30+ years. The latter two wines are only made in the finest vintages. Importer: Shaw-Ross, Miramar, FL; tel. (954) 430-5036.