Amiral G 2010 (75 CL)

Made from 100% old vine Grenache, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Amiral G (only 120 cases produced) once again reminded me of Barroche’s Chateauneuf du Pape Pure. There may be a touch of Mourvedre included in the blend. The 2010 tips the scales at 16% alcohol. As a colleague said, “This is like ‘Fifty Shades of Grey,’ it’s just fifty shades of Grenache packed into one bottle.” Just short of perfection, this exquisite 2010 boasts huge aromatics of creamy strawberries, black cherries, raspberry jam, spring flowers, flowers, licorice and lavender. A wine of enormous stature, majestic richness and no hard edges, it is about as sexy as Grenache can be. This magnificent example of old vine Provencal viticulture will provide immense pleasure over the next 10-15 years ... if you can resist it that long. (RP, 10/2012)