Domaine Saint Préfert Collection Charles Giraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2007

Absolutely prodigious, and, like the other two 2007s, superior to what I predicted last year, is the utterly perfect 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Collection Charles Giraud. Made from 80-year-old Grenache (60%) and 60-year-old Mouvedre (40%) and aged totally in 600-liter demi-muids, I have had this wine a half dozen times, and it has been perfect on every occasion. It offers a mouthful of Chateauneuf du Pape filled with elegance, purity, and laser-like focus. The dark plum/purple color is accompanied by notes of camphor, ground pepper, sweet blackberry and black cherry fruit interwoven with licorice, garrigue, and spice box. In that sense, it is the quintessential expression of a Chateauneuf du Pape, Provence, and the southern Rhone. The wine hits the palate with a glorious display of red and black fruits, herbs, and spices. Full-bodied, meaty, rich, and chewy with extraordinary purity and intensity as well as a multilayered texture and a 60+ second finish, this amazing wine offers up a smorgasbord of aromas and flavors. Furthermore, everything is perfectly balanced. Already irresistible, this 2007 Chateauneuf should drink well for 15-20 years. Wow! Drink now-2029. Robert Parker

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