2007 Roger Sabon "Secret de Sabon" Châteauneuf-du-Pape

96-100 points Robert Parker: "Reminiscent of a hypothetical blend, stylistically speaking, of a 1990 and 1998, the opaque plum/purple 2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Le Secret des Sabon is off the charts. There are only 2,000 bottles of this limited cuvee, from a parcel of 100+ year old vines in the famed La Crau sector. Enormously powerful notes of grilled herbs, roasted meats, creme de cassis, blackberries, charcoal, and truffles emerge from this massive, super-concentrated 2007. A tour de force in winemaking, this is old vine intensity at its greatest and purest. Give it 5-6 years of bottle age, and drink it over the following three decades." (10/08) 95-98 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Saturated ruby. A kaleidoscopic bouquet of raspberry, creme de cassis, potpourri, pungent herbs and incense. Smoky minerals add energy to deep, sweet red and dark berry flavors, complicated by candied lavender, rose and a suave anise note. The finish refuses to let go of the palate, where the sweet berry and floral notes echo. Boasts amazing freshness, depth and clarity." (Jan/Feb '09) 93 points Wine Spectator: "Silky, with a beautiful beam of kirsch running through pepper, incense, black tea and melted licorice notes. The long, supple finish has good latent grip, while maintaining its perfumy elegance. Drink now through 2020." (11/09)