Description: Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reserve has flavours of red and black fruit and spices; as it ages it also becomes suggestive of mushrooms and leather. It is a very virile wine, typical of its terroir, strongly influenced by the Mistral and the sun. A wine that will bring the traditional robustness and warmheartedness of Provence to your table.
Robert Parker: Wine Advocate # 179. Oct 2008. Reviewer : Robert Parker. The dark ruby/purple-tinged 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reserve is one of the finest yet made by the Sabons. Deep ruby/purple with notes of root vegetables, figs, tobacco leaf, roasted meats, kirsch liqueur, and black currants, this is a broad, deep, substantial, long, heady Chateauneuf that should evolve for 15 or more years.
Jancis Robinson: Published : 03-Aug-2009. Smooth, great balance with just a nip of tannin on the finish, ripe fruit and mixed spice in abundance. (RH). When to drink : 2012 to 2022.
Wine Spectator: Issue: Nov 15, 2009.- Very silky, with nice deceptive depth to the perfumy crushed plum, toast, pepper and kirsch notes. A hint of shiso leaf extends the mineral- and red fruit¿filled finish. Drink now through 2019. 1,012 cases made.
–JMStephen Tanzer: Jan/Feb 09. By Josh Raynolds. Ruby-red. Intensely floral scents of raspberry, lavender, magnolia and garrigue Palate-coating red berry flavors are firmed by juicy acidity and complicated by smoky herbs and a sweet floral pastille quality. Finishes broad and precise, with supple tannins and considerable depth. This is one for the cellar.
Vinification: Vinification and Aging : Strict selection of the grapes and partial desteeming, depending on the vintage. 15-20 days maceration at 85-88 degrees, daily pumping ove rand delestage. Aged in foudres (65%) and 3-4 years old barrels for 12-15 months.
