The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Rubis is a blend of 75% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, and 5% Syrah from 30- to 50-year-old vines. Three-quarters of the blend was aged in stainless steel tanks and the rest in old small oak barrels. Soft, ripe, and round, with sweet black raspberry and black cherry fruit interwoven with notions of pepper and roasted herbs, this full-bodied, succulent, rich, velvety-textured, long wine is ideal for drinking now and over the next 10-12 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.