The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Galets Blonds includes 90% Grenache from nearly 100-year-old vines blended with 10% Syrah from the renowned sector in the eastern part of the appellation known as Le Crau. This brilliant offering displays black raspberry, black cherry, floral, forest floor, underbrush, and cassis characteristics along with superb concentration, an opaque purple color, a gorgeously intense, multidimensional mouthfeel, and a sensational finish. I have long been a big fan of this cuvee, having bought and cellared vintages from the late nineties through 2001, and those wines took 3-4 years to develop, and are aging beautifully. The 2007 is potentially one of the best Lesec has yet made. It should drink well for 10-15 years. The stars in Patrick Lesec’s porfolio are the superb Chateauneuf du Pape cuvees he fashions, but there are also some stunning bargains for shrewd consumers. By the way, Lesec chose not to produce any Chateauneuf du Papes or Gigondas in 2008.Importer: Chemin des Vins, Sherborn, MA; tel. (508) 545-1532, who distributes to wholesalers in 20 different states. Readers are advised to call them for availability in their region.