2010 Domaine Ferrand Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Pre-Arrival)

SKU #1114673 96 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

There were no problems with the opaque ruby/purple-tinged 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape, which had just been bottled. This exotic red boasts notes of black truffles, roasted meats, charcuterie, incense, blackberries and black cherry liqueur intermixed with hints of roasted herbs and licorice. Full-bodied, dense and as concentrated as the estate’s extraordinary 2007, the spectacular 2010 needs 2-4 years of cellaring, and will age gracefully over the following two decades. (96+) (10/ 2012)

94 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

(94% grenache, with syrah, mourvedre and bourboulenc): Bright ruby-red. Sexy, spice-accented aromas of red berry preserves and potpourri, with a hint of spicecake in the background. Lively and precise on the palate, offering sweet red berry flavors that become richer and deeper with air. Silky tannins add shape to the very long, focused, floral-dominated finish. Shows a lot of sex appeal now but this densely packed, balanced wine is built to age. (2/ 2013)

K&L Notes

"One of my favorite small artisanal southern Rhone estates is Philippe Bravay's Domaine de Ferrand," writes Robert Parker. "This 14-acre estate produces around 1,200 cases of classic Chateauneuf du Pape made from a blend of 90% Grenache and the rest Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault from 85-year-old vines planted in two famous lieux-dits in the northern sector of the appellation, Cabrieres and La Gardiole. The wines are aged completely in tank prior to being bottled unfiltered. Ferrand produces excellent Cotes du Rhones and both of their 2011s merit serious attention from value seekers." (10/2012)