2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Deus Ex Machina

What’s probably the wine of the vintage, the 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Deux Ex Machina (60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre; the Grenache was raised all in concrete tank and the Mourvèdre in demi-muids) reveals a saturated ruby color as well as classic notes of tobacco leaf, crushed rocks, pan drippings, graphite, black currants and licorice. Showing more and more dark fruits, as well as additional density and depth, with time in the glass, this full-bodied Chateauneuf du Pape shows the hallmark elegance of the 2006 vintage, yet backs it up with incredible density, depth and length. Like the La Combe des Fous release, enjoy this sensational Chateauneuf du Pape anytime over the coming decade.

While not up to either the unbelievable '03 or '05, the 2006 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus-Ex Machina is a stunning wine for the vintage and offers up a perfumed, heady and intense bouquet of spice box, cherry and blackberry liqueur, licorice and smoked meat notes. The palate is full bodied with rich fruit, a savory texture, impressive balance and a blockbuster, long finish with notable fine grained tannins. This improves with air should benefit from 2 to 3 years in the cellar and drink well for 15+.

Glass-staining ruby. Explosively perfumed bouquet of fresh red and dark berries, potpourri, incense and licorice. Completely saturates the palate with sweet raspberry and boysenberry flavors, picking up anise and lavender pastille qualities with air. For a wine with this kind of palate impact there's remarkable finesse and clarity. Red berry and floral notes echo endlessly on the long, sappy finish.