2010 Domaine Monpertuis, Chateuneuf du Pape Rouge, Rhone Valley, France.
This is a thrilling Chateauneuf that has intensity and charm with texture, vibrancy and length. Without a doubt this is quality and value, highlighting one of the best vintages since 1990 or 1998 in Chateauneuf and while the Cotes du Rhones at $15 or so are a bit more friendly on the wallet, it truly revels the extra class that Chateauneuf du Pape’s can give and I think it should get even better with another 5 to 10 years in bottle. Very youthful and explosive, the Monpertuis leads with dried flowers, earthy truffle, lavender and anise along with boysenberry, plum, pomegranate and kirsch while cassis, coco and peppery spices come through mid palate and the lengthy finish has umami and mineral notes, but the over all lingering pleasure is one of hedonistic fruit. This wine has some filling out to come, but certainly it is a complete effort and should be a great cellar find in a decade or so.
($45 Est.) 93+ Points, grapelive
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