France
Rhône / Chateauneuf du Pape Red
97 Domaine de Beaurenard Châteauneuf du Pape Boisrenard 2010 $70
Contains some exotic fruit – blueberry paste, boysenberry and raspberry confiture, and pastis-soaked currant – but it’s a brick house too, with Turkish coffee, bittersweet chocolate and lots of singed wood spice notes fanning out on the finish.
A great spine allows the elements to echo through the finish without faltering. Best from 2015 through 2030. 750 cases made - JM
France
Rhône / Chateauneuf du Pape White
95 Domaine de Beaurenard Châteauneuf du Pape White Boisrenard 2010 $65
Lush, with creamed melon and sweetened butter notes at the core surrounded by swirls of heather, Jonagold apple, brioche and toasted Brazil nut. The long, creamy finish has heft and cut, while the melon fruit and toast meld nicely and linger effortlessly. Drink now through 2016. 150 cases made. JM
91 Domaine de Beaurenard Châteauneuf du Pape White Boisrenard 2010 $65
Lush, with creamed melon and sweetened butter notes at the core surrounded by swirls of heather, Jonagold apple, brioche and toasted Brazil nut. The long, creamy finish has heft and cut, while the melon fruit and toast meld nicely and linger effortlessly. Drink now through 2016. 150 cases made. JM
France
Rhône / Other Red and Rosé
92 Domaine de Beaurenard Rasteau Les Argiles Bleues 2010 $30
Bold in profile, vigorously displaying blueberry, plum, blackberry and boysenberry pâte de fruit flavors, which meld with a licorice note on the ripe, defined finish. A good graphite spine runs underneath to provide support. Best from 2013 through 2022. 400 cases made – JM
91 Domaine de Beaurenard Rasteau 2010 $20
Youthfully tight, featuring a serious graphite spine at the core, with flavors of dark plum, black currant and steeped plum fruit waiting to flesh out fully. The fresh, spice – embedded finish reveals an echo of ganache. Best from 2013 through 2017. 3000 cases made – JM
87 Domaine de Beaurenard Côtes du Rhône Rosé 2011 $13
Light, but pure and persistent, with watermelon rind, rose petal and light strawberry fruit racing along, backed by a light bergamot echo on the finish. Drink now. 900 cases made. – JM
