2007 CNDP Cuvee Prestige Mixed Cases (1x 2004-2006 CDP-CP)

Glass-staining ruby. Highly perfumed scents of dark berries and kirsch, with sexy incense and floral qualities gaining strength with air. Broad, palate-coating blackcurrant and cherry flavors are complemented by smoke and floral pastilles, with chewy tannins adding grip. The finish leaves sweet notes of candied lavender and rose behind and shows a subtle smokiness. This is more exotic than the Reserve and built for the longer haul.

The brilliant 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige (60% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and the balance almost every other authorized red grape of the appellation) is produced from parcels that average 90 years of age or older. It reveals the essence of Provence in its dense plum/purple color and powerful aromatics of sweet creme de cassis, black cherries, licorice, lavender, pepper, and incense. The wine possesses terrific depth, a blockbuster, opulent, multilayered texture, and a finish that lasts nearly 50 seconds. This sensational Chateauneuf du Pape should drink well for 15-20 years. While this is one of Chateauneuf du Pape’s finest estates, it is not nearly as big as one might suspect given the market penetration they have enjoyed throughout the world. From their 42 acres of vines scattered among 15 separate Chateauneuf du Pape parcels, Roger Sabon produces four cuvees of red wine as well as a small quantity of white wines. Three of the red wines are based on old vine Grenache, and the limited production Le Secret des Sabon comes from a 100+- year-old parcel of primarily Grenache and other field varietals that are cropped at incredibly tiny yields of less than one-half ton of fruit per acre. The property is currently managed by Jean-Jacques Sabon with his son-in-law, Didier Negron, who has been the oenologist since 2001. The history of this estate is intriguing as the first estate bottled wine was made in 1921, when the property was run by Seraphin Sabon, who had three sons, Joseph (the founder of Clos du Mont-Olivet), Noel (who started the Domaine Chante Cigale), and Roger (who created this estate in 1952). All of the following offerings are traditionally made wines, based largely on Grenache, that spend 12-15 months in foudres. Occasionally, a small percentage is aged in small, 3- to 4-year-old oak barrels. The only exceptions are the Cuvee Prestige, which is aged mostly in foudres and small new oak (25-30%), and the Secret des Sabon, which is aged in one-year-old demi-muids. 2007 may be the strongest vintage across the board that I have ever tasted at Roger Sabon. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC: tel. (704) 358-1565