2010 Domaine de la Charbonniere "Les Hauts Brusquieres Cuvée Speciale" Châteauneuf-du-Pape

SKU #1110607 96 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The sensational 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Hautes Brusquieres Cuvee Speciale explodes from the glass with aromas of roasted Provencal herbs/garrigue, cassis, blackberries, kirsch, loamy earth, and a subtle nuance of spring flowers. Full-bodied with superb definition, massive fruit concentration and a long finish displaying dazzling purity, texture and length, this sensational wine is one of the finest wines Domaine de la Charbonniere has yet produced. It should age gracefully for two decades. (10/ 2012)

92 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Vivid ruby. Black raspberry, cola and potpourri on the highly perfumed nose. Sappy and densely packed, offering sweet red and dark berry compote flavors and a touch of lavender pastille. Closes smooth and broad, with resonating spiciness and excellent clarity. (2/ 2013)

K&L Notes

"One of my favorite estates in the southern Rhone, Domaine de la Charbonniere is run with great passion and enthusiasm by Michel Maret, and more recently, by his two daughters," writes Robert Parker. "The Marets own nearly 44 acres in Chateauneuf du Pape, and one of their most under-valued and under-rated wines is their sensational Vacqueyras. They consistently produce four cuvees of Chateauneuf du Pape that are traditionally made, even though a handful of the wines spend time in small oak casks (although new oak is generally shunned at this estate). Other than one large parcel in the northwest sector of the appellation, Maret’s biggest holdings are all in the eastern area of Chateauneuf du Pape...As I reported last year, the 2010s are superb, and consumers can’t go wrong with any of these wines, which range from outstanding to prodigious in the case of the Hautes Brusquieres and the Cuvee Vieilles Vignes." (10/2012) 15% abv.