2007 Tardieu-Laurent "Cuvée Speciale" Châteauneuf-du-Pape

94-96 points Robert Parker: "A 100% Grenache cuvee from the sandy soils of a 106-year-old, biodynamically farmed La Crau vineyard, and aged in both foudre and tank, the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Speciale is amazing. Abundant notes of melted licorice, kirsch liqueur, and flowers is followed by a full-bodied, seamlessly constructed wine with sensational purity, texture, depth, and length. The bad news is there are only 2,000 bottles. This 2007 should drink well for two decades or more." 95 points Wine Spectator: "This is gorgeous, with wood spice and tobacco notes leading the way for a massive core of black Mission fig and warm currant preserve flavors. This has the opulent fruit of the vintage, but maintains an edgy minerality as well. The long finish ripples with lavender and black tea. Grenache. Best from 2010 through 2023." (11/09) 93 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Opaque ruby. Highly perfumed bouquet of red and dark berry preserves, flowers, fruit pit and sassafras. Sweet, palate-staining black raspberry and mulberry flavors are framed by velvety tannins and become spicier and more energetic on the back end. Big and gripping but surprisingly graceful wine with very good finishing lift and precision. This saw no new oak." (Jan/Feb 10) 14.5% abv.