Critics Ratings

Charvin Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2007

'One of the top Grenache wines in the world.  85% Grenache and the rest equal parts of Mourvedre, Vaccarese and Syrah.  It exhibits a deep ruby/purple colour as well as a sumptous bouqet of black raspberries, kirsch liquer and subtle notions of underbrush and nori seaweed wrapper. Rayas-like in its ethereal richness, length and texture with a sense of lightness despite its weight, this beauty possesses superb purity, equilibrium, texture and elegance. Has some serious tannins lurking behind all the fruit so will definately benefit from cellaring. Drink to 2026+. ' 18.5/20 - Decanter

"The finest wine ever made at Charvin. Their wines never achieve a lot of color, but this is one of the most saturated ones they have produced. The blend from the 45- to 50-year-old vines is 85% Grenache and the rest equal parts Syrah, Mourvedre, and Vaccarese, all aged in cement tanks prior to being bottled unfiltered. A terrific nose of kirsch, lavender, licorice, forest floor, and spice box soars from the glass of this full-bodied effort. With fabulous density, a multidimensional mouthfeel, and a 45+ second finish this brilliant, elegant, feminine-styled wine is loaded with concentration and intensity. Like many 2007 Chateauneuf du Papes, the extraordinary fruit level makes it hard to resist. ' - 97/100, Robert Parker

‘Never one of Laurent's favorite vintages (although I suspect he's warmed up to it slightly), the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape continues to drink brilliantly, and while this bottle was just slightly closed, I’ve had numerous bottles from my cellar that are open and singing. Nevertheless, on this occasion, it took some swirling to get it to open up and it’s a concentrated, structured, full-bodied beauty that has the classic elegance of the estate yet with another level of fruit and exuberance. It’s just at the early stages of full maturity, is a smoking good drink and will keep for another 10-15 years. Drink 2012 - 2032.’ – Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate, 96+/100 (Feb 2017)

‘Even though this is crammed with fig and currant paste notes, it maintains a racy, silky feel, thanks to perfectly embedded structure and a complex backdrop of incense, charred mesquite, shiso leaf and freshly ground espresso. This has ample grip, but it's extremely graceful—a deft act in this vintage. Best from 2010 through 2030.’ – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 95/100 (Nov 2009)

‘Vivid ruby. Mineral-driven aromas of strawberry, black raspberry, potpourri and allspice, plus a whiff of white pepper. Very fresh, palate-staining red fruit flavors are complicated by floral pastille, baking spice and smoky herb nuances. Very deep in flavor but impressively light on its feet, finishing with strong minerality and spicy persistence. (Weygandt-Metzler Importing, Unionville PA.’ – Josh Raynolds, Vinous, 94/100 (Jan 2010)

de la Mordoree Châteauneuf-du-Pape la Reines des Bois 2007

‘Reminding me of the 2003, yet with even more polished and sweetness to its tannin, the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de la Reine des Bois offers a full-bodied, ripe, sexy style to go with pedal-to-the-metal notes of black currants, roasted herbs, licorice and toasted spices. Coming from the La Crau lieu-dit and aged in 30% new barrels and the balance in stainless steel, it’s just now entering its prime drink window and will keep for another 10-15 years. Drink 2012 - 2032.’ – Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate, 97/100 (Feb 2017)

‘Stunning in its combination of density, purity and elegance. There's plenty of dark fig, cassis, pastis and crushed plum fruit, along with melted licorice, ganache and black tea notes. But the texture is supple, the tannins silky and the finish long and beguiling. Harnesses the precociousness of the vintage with true depth and length. Best from 2010 through 2030. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.’ – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 96/100 (Aug 2009)

‘Inky ruby. The nose offers a highly complex, wild array of dark berry and floral scents, along with anise, herbs and smoky minerals. Utterly stains the palate with deep black and blue fruit flavors complemented by strong notes of lavender pastille and tobacco. Tannins come up with air but the fruit seems to suck them up. Finishes with a strong wallop of luscious blueberry and mocha and outstanding persistence. This looks to be one of the best wines of this superb vintage.’ – Josh Raynolds, Vinous, 93-96/100 (Jan 2009)

Chateau Vaudieu Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Val de Dieu 2007

‘This carries the lush raspberry, boysenberry and kirsch fruit notes of the vintage, but keeps them razor sharp, with gorgeous spice, incense and black tea notes adding a sense of elegance, despite its weight. The long, perfumy finish drips with fruit, while minerality ripples underneath. Drink now through 2024. 315 cases made.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 94/100 (Nov 2009)

‘Glass-staining ruby. Seductively perfumed aromas of black raspberry, spicecake and incense, with notes of licorice and garrigue adding complexity. Juicy, pliant, seductively sweet red and dark berry flavors become spicier with air without losing their seamless quality. Very smooth and focused on the finish, with the sweet dark berry and spice notes recurring.’ - Josh Raynolds, Vinous, 93/100 (Jan 2010)

‘I think the strongest vintage for this cuvée to date (the 2010 is close), the 2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Val de Dieu is a big, rich, concentrated and age-worthy beauty that offers classic notes of black currants, black raspberries, toasted spices and graphite. A blend of 44% Grenache, 45% Syrah and 11% Mourvèdre that was raised in demi-muids and barrels (some new), it still has a kiss of oak, thrilling purity and a huge mid-palate, all suggesting it’s going to be a long-lived Châteauneuf-du-Pape.’ - Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate, 96/100 (Feb 2017)

Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2007

‘The 2007 Vieux Télégraphe may be the greatest wine made at this property since the 2005 and 1998. Dense ruby/purple-tinged with an exquisite nose of salty sea breezes, licorice, ground pepper, jammy black cherries, black currants, figs, and plums, this is a full-bodied, rich, Provençal-styled offering with lots of sweet, ripe tannin. It is surprisingly accessible for a Vieux Telegraphe (this wine normally shuts down several years after bottling), but it should have great longevity (25+ years) given its power, full-bodied mouthfeel, and enormous length and richness. This is a brilliant effort from brothers Frederic and Daniel Brunier.’ - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 96+/100 (Oct 2009)

‘Packed, in a brawny, muscular style atypical for this lush vintage, with a gravelly undertow to the currant paste, braised fig and dark licorice notes. Picks up even more steam on the finish, with grilled mesquite, mineral and garrigue notes and a long, hot stone–filled finish. Best from 2010 through 2030.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 95/100 (Dec 2009)

Provenance

Private Client