Chateauneuf du Pape Clos des Papes Paul Avril 2006 (1.5L)

95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "From the normal tiny yields of this estate (on the order of 22 hectoliters per hectare), the 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape from Paul-Vincent has shed its baby fat and now shows a supple, elegant, seamless profile that's hard to resist. Kirsch, licorice, garrigue and sweet spice all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced 2006. It benefits from a short decant, and while showing plenty of maturity, it will evolve gracefully for at least another decade." 03/16

95 Points, Josh Raynolds, Vinous: "Bright ruby. Highly expressive aromas of raspberry, cherry, lavender, smoked meat and minerals. Racy and sharply focused, with juicy red and dark berry flavors, silky texture and a gentle candied floral quality. Impressively pure and balanced, with outstanding finishing clarity and lingering sweetness. Does this ever really finish? By no means a blockbuster, but delivers very serious palate impact." 01/09

95 Points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator: "This has terrific purity, with a stunningly pure beam of cassis holding sway over fruitcake, melted licorice and incense notes. Shows impressive density for the vintage, but this is suave, elegant and seamless through the finish, with terrific underlying minerality. Best from 2009 through 2030. 7,165 cases made." 11/08

96 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com: "Pulled from my cellar (purchased on release), the 2006 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is drinking brilliantly, and this vintage always seems to deliver. Rocking notes of kirsch, black licorice, cured meats, black olives, and garrigue all give way to a ripe, perfectly balanced, seamless effort that’s right smack dab in the middle of its prime drinking plateau. It opens up nicely with time in the glass, and while fully mature, it’s going to continue drinking great for another decade, at which point it should have a gradual decline." 03/19