Performing extremely well, the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape La Bernardine (100% Grenache) exhibits copious aromas of bay leaf/bouquet garni, sweet cherry jam, licorice and hints of new saddle leather, earth and pepper. With medium to full body, velvety tannins and more concentration than one normally sees in this cuvee, this cement-aged red should drink well for 10+ years. While the firm of Chapoutier is justifiably renowned for their northern Rhone wines and, increasingly, their projects in Australia, Portugal and the Languedoc-Roussillon (more on those wines later), they have some important holdings in Chateauneuf du Pape. Furthermore, they do a good job with their negociant offerings from growers who farm their vineyards biodynamically, a prerequisite for any grapes or wine purchased by Chapoutier. Two luxury cuvees are from two old vineyards, Croix de Bois which is near Bedarrides on the eastern side of the appellation, and Barbe Rac, in the western sector. The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Croix de Bois and 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Barbe Rac are both fabulous wines showing far better out of bottle than they did last year. Both are aged completely in cement tanks in the new Chapoutier facility just outside of Tain l’Hermitage. Chapoutier loves the minerality and acid levels that were achieved in his biodynamically farmed vineyards in 2010. He said that after seven or eight years of biodynamic viticulture, he notices the pHs going down and the total acids in the vineyards going up, a positive. The least expensive offerings in this portfolio are the Vin de Pays d’Oc cuvees. The two 2010 luxury Chateauneuf du Pape cuvees were more restrained than the opulent, voluptuously textured 2009s. Importer: Paterno Imports, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604-8900