Inky purple. Heady, explosive aromas of black raspberry and blueberry preserves, garrigue and incense, with smoky mineral and anise accents. Lush and palate-coating, offering deeply concentrated black and blue fruit flavors that are enlivened by juicy acidity. Ridiculously rich but animated wine, with excellent finishing thrust and lingering spiciness. This wine had still not been bottled when I tasted it in mid-November.

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No Cuvee da Capo was made in 2009, but the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee da Capo is composed of 80-85% Grenache and the rest a field blend of the other permitted varietals (Syrah, Mourvedre, Muscardin, Terret Noir, Counoise, Vaccarese, etc.). It is fashionable to compare the newest Capo with a previous vintage, and for me, the 2010 resembles 2007 more than their 2003, 2000 or 1998. The stunningly rich 2010 has close to 16% natural alcohol, and will be bottled after spending 18 months in old wood foudres. Notions of ripe figs, kirsch liqueur, cedar, Christmas fruitcake, smoked meats, charcuterie and beef blood are present in this staggeringly complex, rich, full-throttle, massive, intense wine. Drink it over the next 20-30 years.

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