The medium to full-bodied 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape (an elegant blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre) exhibits attractive black cherry and framboise notes, silky tannin and a spicy, elegant personality. A very good effort for the vintage, it is best consumed over the next 5-6 years.
In the past, La Roquete has had terrible representation, but the proprietors, the Brunier family, recently switched to Kermit Lynch as their importer, so hopefully readers will be able to find this wine in the marketplace. Since the Bruniers took over this estate, quality has soared, evidenced by their extraordinary 2007s.
(WA 31st Oct 2010)
