2007 Clos des Brusquières Châteauneuf du Pape

"A blend of 85% Grenache, 9% Syrah, and 6% Mourvèdre, the 2007 Clos des Brusquières Châteauneuf-du-Pape is very tight aromatically but possesses amazing purity as well as deep, dense black cherry and dark fruit nuances. Black licorice, smoky earth and minerals round out the bouquet. The wine truly shines on the palate, with the fruit’s quality and texture really standing out. It’s medium to full bodied with impressive balance, a silky, rich texture and vibrant acidity that keeps the wine fresh and edgy. A beautifully made(and wholly delicious) wine, give this a couple years in the cellar and then drink over the next 10 to 12 years. This tiny Domaine, owned by Claude Courtil, is located in the northern part of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and consists of eight hectares. The godson of none other than Henri Bonneau, Claude is commitment to natural winemaking, manual vineyard work, aging in large foudres and bottling without fining or filtration. It is interesting to note that until 1996, Claude sold his full production to négociants, (JS, 93 points)".