Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Oct 09
Two brilliant successes are Brunel's cuvees of 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape. The 2007 Les Cailloux Tradition (a blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 12% Syrah, and 3% other authorized varieties) comes from 60-year-old vines and is aged completely in tank except for the Mourvedre and Syrah components, which are kept in small barrels. Explosively fruity, this dense plum/purple-colored wine displays grilled meat notes intermixed with Provencal herbs, spice box, black cherry and black currant, in addition to having a lush, opulent texture. The finish goes on and on, and the wine is beautifully pure. It can be drunk now or cellared for 12 or more years. 93 points
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Jan/Feb 2010
($50) Bright ruby. Highly floral bouquet of red and dark berry preserves, potpourri, smoky minerals and white pepper. Tangy red berry flavors give way to deeper cherry and blackberry in the middle palate, with exotic floral pastille and Asian spice qualities adding complexity. Very suave wine with a seamless, silky texture and strong finishing sweetness, not to mention impressive clarity. 93 points
Wine Spectator, November 2009
This gushes with blueberry, fig and black cherry fruit, all seamlessly woven with silky, fine-grained tannins. The stylish finish lets spice and incense notes check in, while buried minerality adds length. Drink now through 2019. 4,000 cases made. 92 points
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