Domaine de Cristia Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vielles Vignes - 2006 (750ml)

Possibly rivaling the 2007, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is the standard 100% Grenache that was raised all in smaller, 2-year-old barrels. It's more forward and approachable than the Cuvee Renaissance and has an exuberant, perfumed, hedonistic character. Loaded with notions of black raspberries, peppery herbs, liquid violet and licorice, it doesn't pull any punches on the palate and is full-bodied, massively textured and decadent, with enough sweet tannin to keep it nicely focused on the finish. As I wrote when I first reviewed this wine right after bottling, it's a wine for unabashed Grenache lovers and will also have upward of two decades of life.
Robert Parker - 97 points