2007 Saint Prefert - Chateauneuf du Pape Collection Charles Giraud

($75) Inky purple. Intensely pungent nose offers a kaleidoscopic array of dark berries, flowers and spices, with elements of licorice and dark chocolate adding depth. Creamy mulberry and cherry-cola flavors coat the palate, complicated by sexy floral pastille and fruitcake qualities. Extremely rich wine with great back-end power and finishing sappiness.

Author: Josh Raynolds

Issue: January/February 2010

Dark roasted Kenya AA coffee, braised fig, charred mesquite, mulled currant and blackberry fruit all work together in this huge and muscular but seamless and velvety offering. Graphite, brown bread, mineral and espresso notes weave through the finish, which has loads of pepper- and loam-tinged grip in reserve. Grenache and Mourvedre.

Author: James Molesworth

Grenache Noir 60%, MourvŠdre 40%. Vines of 60 to 100 years old aged in old demi muids. Tiny yields - 15 hl/ha.Looks complex. Very savoury, interesting nose. Rather gassy on the palate. Very sweet and opulent - almost (but not quite) too much so. More than a hint of chocolate malt. Rather Napa Valley in style it's so sweet and strong on the palate.

Author: Jancis Robinson

Issue: 40125

The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Collection Charles Giraud is off-the-charts! More voluptuous and hedonistic than the 2010, it offers a smorgasbord of black raspberry, blackberry, licorice, roasted herbs and cured meats that flow to a massive, full-bodied wine that has nothing out of place. Incredibly concentrated, layered, pure and seamless, it is an incredible Chateauneuf to drink over the coming 15 years.

Author: Jeb Dunnuck