The top wine of the estate, and the only cuvee from this estate I was able to taste for this retrospective, the 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chante le Merle Vieilles Vignes is an old vines blend of 80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre. Fermented with whole clusters and aged 12-18 months in a mix of foudres and demi-muids, it reveals a mature, complex bouquet of sweet cherries, figs, dried spice, licorice and hints of game. This is followed by a medium-bodied, balanced, slightly evolved Chateauneuf du Pape that has a solid core of sweet fruit and a great finish. I suspect it will evolve nicely going forward, but there’s no need to hold off.