Nine-hundred bottles of this cuvee are aged in three wood barrels, resulting in the 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Galets Blonds Tonneaux. This fabulous effort is structured with a deep ruby/purple color as well as enormous richness, intensity, and sweet jammy black fruits interwoven with notions of balsam wood, fruit cake, violets, tobacco, and ground Provencal herbs. Full-bodied, expansive, and chewy, this impressive, powerful Chateauneuf will be at its finest between 2006-2016. Importer: a Patrick Lesec Selection, various American importers, including Stacole Fine Wines, Boca Raton, FL; tel. (561) 998-0039, Classic Wines, Boston, MA; tel. (617) 469-5799; Fine Vines LLC, Maywood, IL; tel. (708) 343-5901; Associated Wine Distributors, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-8048; and Vintage ’59 Imports, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 966-9218

There are 10,000 bottles of the 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Galets Blonds, which is produced from ripe fruit grown in the La Crau sector. It is a blend of 93% Grenache (80-year old vines) and 7% Syrah. About one-half is destemmed, and the wine is aged both in tank and neutral wood foudres. Its superb ruby/purple color is followed by a big, sweet perfume of kirsch liqueur, garrigue, ground pepper, beef blood, and underbrush. Full-bodied, rich, and opulent, with copious spice, glycerin, and intensity, this is a gorgeously pure, fleshy yet classically Provencal offering to enjoy between 2006-2014. Importer: a Patrick Lesec Selection, various American importers, including Stacole Fine Wines, Boca Raton, FL; tel. (561) 998-0039, Classic Wines, Boston, MA; tel. (617) 469-5799; Fine Vines LLC, Maywood, IL; tel. (708) 343-5901; Associated Wine Distributors, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-8048; and Vintage ’59 Imports, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 966-9218