Looking at the 2010s and a brilliant vintage for Laurence, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape offers up classic Pegau aromas and flavors of ripe dark fruits, garrigue, cured meats, tobacco leaf, saddle leather and hints of game. Full-bodied and beautifully concentrated, it offers a seamless, layered profile on the palate with thrilling mid-palate depth, sweet, yet substantial tannin, and a blockbuster finish that stays fresh and beautifully focused. Quite polished by this estates standards, it nevertheless screams southern France and I doubt it’s possible to have too much of this beauty in the cellar. It will absolutely thrill over the coming 2-3 decades. Drink 2016-2030. 98 points

Composed of 80% Grenache, 12% Syrah, 4% Mourvedre and 4% miscellaneous varietals, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee tips the scales at 14.8% alcohol, which is slightly lower than the 2009. It reveals a deep ruby/purple color along with wonderful sweetness and lots of roasted meat characteristics intermixed with notions of herbs, forest floor, kirsch and black fruits. The tannins are surprisingly soft, the wine has great intensity and a blacker fruit profile than even the 2009. It looks to be another superb effort that should slightly eclipse the 2009. Like the 1989 and 1990 Cuvee Reservees, it may be impossible to pick a favorite between the 2010 and 2009. As I recall, Paul has always favored the 1990, Laurence the 1989. 97-99 points