Patrick Lesec Galets Blonds Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2005

Showing brilliantly, in fact much better than it did last year, the 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Galets Blonds (95% Grenache and 5% Syrah) is spectacular. Gorgeous aromatics of tapenade of black olives intermixed with blackberry, kirsch, licorice, and meat juices is followed by a voluptuous, full-bodied, heady wine with terrific concentration, sweet tannin, and a long finish. This wine includes 100% stems during the vinification and is a cuvee of 6,600 bottles. It should drink beautifully for 15 or more years. Score - 94. (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com, Oct. 2007)