2007 Domaine Giraud "Tradition" Châteauneuf-du-Pape

94 points Wine Spectator: "Gorgeously ripe and totally inviting, with lush plum, crushed fig, macerated currant and boysenberry fruit all gliding along seamlessly over graphite, tar and charcoal notes. The superlong finish has well-embedded acidity. Shows terrific poise, despite its explosive fruit. Best from 2010 through 2025." (08/09) 93 points Robert Parker: "The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape is a big-time sleeper of the vintage. Deeper-colored than Les Grenaches de Pierre, it offers beautiful, ripe black raspberry, licorice, cherry, roasted herb, and meat juice-like notes, full body, a voluptuous texture, and a superb finish that lasts for 40-45 seconds. A blend of 60% Grenache, 35% Syrah, and 5% Mourvedre from 70-year-old vines, all except the Syrah is aged in steel tanks and concrete. The Syrah component spends time in small barrels. It should drink well for 15 years." (10/09) 90-93 Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Inky purple. Powerfully scented bouquet of kirsch, mulberry and candied lavender. All primary fruit right now, offering dense red and dark berry flavors and no apparent tannins. The finish is broad and sweet, echoing the seductive floral note. Marie Giraud and her brother Francois's first vintage on their own was 2005, and the quality leap has been dramatic in just a few short years. Marie told me that this wine will be bottled earlier than the others, "to preserve freshness," and that these vines range from 60 to 80 years of age." ETA: Sept 2009.