2006 Chapoutier Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine, Southern Rhone, France

Chateau Mont Redon’s 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape possesses a surprisingly modern feel in its black cherry, vanilla bean, licorice and spice box-driven bouquet. Always made in a medium-bodied, elegant style, this 2006 is no exception and reveals beautifully polished tannin, nicely integrated acidity and a clean, classy finish. The blend is 75% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre and the balance other permitted varieties, all of which were aged in equal parts stainless steel and smaller barrels. It’s drinking beautifully today, but still has some upside and will have two decades of over a longevity when all is said and done.