Tour Saint MichelTour du Lion Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2010

More traditional and mineral-laced, the 2010 La Tour du Lion is a blend of 75% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 5% Mourvedre that is aged mostly in tank, with 20% of the blend seeing 2-year-old barrels. Elegant and more approachable than the Feminessence, it delivers plenty of black fruit characteristics to go with notions of smoked earth, wet stone, and meaty qualities, with only a hint of the barrique aging showing. This is followed by a full-bodied, gorgeously fruited 2010 that has a fleshy, mouth filling texture, brilliant purity, and a seamless finish. It should be better in a handful of years, and have 10-12 years or more of overall longevity.

A very bright and enticing red, with an almost piercing feel to the racy loganberry, blueberry and raspberry fruit, which is carried by a lovely floral edge. Sleek and tightly focused, with brisk acidity thats well-embedded and a long, pastis-tinged finish that has ample depth in reserve. This should blossom with cellaring. Best from 2014 through 2030

Lustrous dark crimson. Very ripe but with some sweetness and real tension. Very full and plush and exotic. But not heavy nor too sweet and the alcohol is wonderfully well carried. In fact the wine is almost cool on the finish. This is lovely; the tannins are well hidden but definitely present. Mainly ripe fruit but lots of spice and an attractive edge of tarriness.