2007 Domaine Grand Veneur "Vieilles Vignes" Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Pre-Arrival)

95-97+ points Robert Parker: "The newest baby, the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes, is a blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Mourvedre, and 10% Syrah. All of these wines are from the estate-s three major holdings in the northern part of the appellation, on the high plateau of Mont Redon and Cabrieres, and in the northeastern sector, near Beaucastel. The 2007 Vieilles Vignes represents the essence of Chateauneuf du Pape. Inky/purple to the rim, with extraordinary full-bodied aromas of roasted porcini, meat juices, blackberries, cassis, smoke, and grilled herbs, it is intense to the point of almost over-extraction, but it has no rough edges. It possesses great purity, an amazing texture, and a massive, full-bodied finish with noticeable tannin. Because of its high percentage of Mourvedre and Syrah, it requires 6-7 years of bottle age, and should keep for 30-35 years." (10/08) 92-95 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Saturated purple. Stunning bouquet of mineral-laced raspberry, boysenberry and potpourri, with a strong note of licorice emerging with air. Deep and sweet but energetic, showing powerful red and black fruit flavors and a strong underpinning of graphite and iron. The boysenberry note recurs on the finish, which is strikingly pure, focused and long." (Jan/Feb '09) ETA Fall of 2009.