Roger Sabon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Le Secret des Sabon 2010 75CL

Robert Parker
If you can find any of the 150 or so cases made, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Le Secret des Sabon represents the essence of Chateauneuf du Pape, perhaps the essence of wine. It boasts an inky/purple color as well as a fabulous, intricate nose of blue, black and red fruits, graphite, chocolate, charcoal, forest floor, spring flowers and a touch of garrigue. Unbelievably concentrated, to the point of being viscous and nearly over the top, the wine is sensationally rich and pure with a nearly endless finish. There is plenty of tannin, but it is largely obscured by the luxuriousness of the wine’s high glycerin and intense fruit. Forget this beauty for 3-5 years and drink it over the following three decades or more. This is a magnificent Chateauneuf du Pape although it is impossible to say it is better than some of the previous blockbusters made at Domaine Roger Sabon, including the 1998, 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007 Secret des Sabon.

Jeb Dunnuck 
On another level, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Le Secret du Sabon is insanely good and possibly up there with some of the greatest Chateauneufs ever made. Loaded with notions of black fruits, black licorice, roasted herbs and olive tapenade, it's a thrilling example of Grenache and of Chateauneuf du Pape. Full-bodied, massively concentrated and structured, it's not for those looking for immediate appeal and needs another 4-5 years in the cellar.