2008 Domaine du Pégaü "Cuvée Réservée" Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Pre-Arrival, Elsewhere $60)

SKU #1059488 92 points Wine Spectator

A dark, lightly chewy style, with roasted mesquite and dark licorice notes leading the way for a powerful core of black Mission fig, blackberry preserve, Turkish coffee and bittersweet cocoa notes. There's a flash of truffle on the finish. Drink now through 2022. (6/ 2011)

89-91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee was about to be bottled at the time of my visit, and it will certainly be one of the better wines of the vintage. By the standards of Pegau, it is not a massive wine nor will it be terribly long-lived. However, this estate has an incredible track record in off years, so I would not be surprised to see this wine exceeding readers’ expectations in 10-12 years. Tasting through the three remaining lots that will be blended together, I rated them between 89 and 92. That makes it one of the better wines of the vintage. Medium to full-bodied, chewy and very evolved, the wine exhibits lots of earth, lavender and foresty/mossy notes intermixed with kirsch, peppery black currants and Christmas fruitcake spices. It should drink nicely for 10-12+ years. Laurence calls it a very “traditional” style that she believes will be as good as their 2006. (10/ 2010)

91 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Saturated ruby. A wild, highly expressive bouquet displays red and dark berries, Asian spice and musky garrigue, accented by smoke and game notes in the background. Juicy and precise, with sweet raspberry and cherry flavors that take a bitter turn with air. Tannins come on late and add grip to a long, sappy finish. (4/ 2011)