Henri Bonneau, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Reserve Celestins 2010

Schedule to be bottled next week I suspect it will be in bottle by the time you read this), the 2010 Châteauneuf du Pape Reserve des Célestins is a sensational effort. Deeper, richer and more concentrated than the Marie Beurrier, it reveals an unusually inky ruby/purple color to go with overflowing notes of kirsch liqueur, roasted meats, crushed flowers, garrigue and just about every other Provençal spice you could name. Full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, layered and a blockbuster-styled effort, it should surpass the 2007 and possibly rival the 1990. This is a tour de force in Châteauneuf du Pape!