2006 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Collection Alain Corcia "Crème de la Crème"

93 points Robert Parker: "The 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Creme de la Creme is Corcia’s selection of the best lots. A bigger, beefier version of the Cuvee Patricia, it is a classic example of Chateauneuf du Pape. All of these wines are aged in small old barrels prior to bottling." (10/08) Burgundy wine broker Alain Corcia ventures into the southern Rhone to purchase wine that he then raises in old oak foudres and smaller barriques and bottles under assorted names. Some of the cuvees see 30% new oak, but Corcia’s overall philosophy is to keep the wood as a background element to the fruit, which is dominated by grenache (60-70%) with the rest syrah and occasionally mourvedre. The 2006s are charming efforts displaying the vintage’s up front, forward fruit, but not the structure, weight, or density of the 2005s. As a direct buy, this wine represents an outstanding value. K&L has gone straight to the source, cutting out the middleman, which allows us to pass the savings directly on to you. 14.5% abv.