2009 Chateauneuf du Pape

Bright ruby. Ripe black raspberry and cherry on the fragrant nose. Spicy and precise on entry, then deeper in the mid-palate, offering pliant red and dark berry preserves flavors and hints of peppery spices. Brighter and more lively than it showed last year, finishing with very good lift and silkiness. This is drinking well right now.

A fantastic base cuvee, the 2009 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of 75% tank aged Grenache, 15% Syrah, and the rest Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Vaccarese. It displays a meaty, perfumed, and spice-laced bouquet of red fruits, licorice, and mineral, medium to full body, a superb, silky texture, admirable balance, and plenty of length on the finish. While not as deep or rich as the Vieilles Vignes, it has solid concentration and a very drinkable, delicious style. Consume bottles over the coming decade or so.