2007 Domaine de Cristia "Cuvee Renaissance" Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Pre-Arrival)

93-96 points Robert Parker: "The 2007 Châteauneuf-du-PapeRenaissance (60% 100-year-old-plus Grenache vines, 30% Mourvedre, and 10% Syrah, aged in a combination of one-fourth new small barrels and three-fourths small barrels of two and three years of age) is sensational. It is inky bluish purple in a full-bodied style, displaying a classic blueberry, blackberry, and kirsch nose with an almost melted asphalt/charcoal-like character intermixed with lavender, spring flowers, as well as black olives and spice. The wine is super-concentrated and has a fabulously layered, multi-dimensional mouthfeel as well as a stunning finish. This should be one of the more remarkable wines from the vintage and capable of lasting two decades or more." (10/08) 91-94 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Ruby with a bright rim. Exotic scents of black raspberry, cherry-cola, garrigue and minerals. A smoky quality adds interest to the sweet red and dark berry flavors, which show impressive depth and clarity. Manages the trick of being rich and vibrant at the same time. Finishes sweet, creamy and very long. I prefer the brightness of this wine to the density of the Vieilles Vignes right now." (Jan/Feb '09) ETA Fall of 2009.