New Rhone wines in the Flickinger Fine Wines inventory http://www.flickingerwines.com/wineregions/rhone.asp WA 98-100 (10/2009): The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee da Capo (the first made since 2003) is a whopper! Slightly less potent alcohol-wise than the 1998 or 2003, Laurence Feraud compares it to the 2000. With just under 16% natural alcohol, it exhibits a dense purple color along with a big, sweet kiss of charcoal, grilled steaks, beef blood, plums, blackberries, smoked herbs, kirsch, and black currants, fabulous concentration, enormous body, and a finish that lasts over a minute. There is a freshness and vibrancy because of the vintage’s crisp acid levels, and the wine should age well for 30+ years. It reminded me more of the 1998 at a similar stage than the 2000, but that’s splitting hairs given the quality level of this offering. Normally there are 500-600 cases produced, most of it being available through the grey market rather than through any authorized importers. Laurence told me the Capo will be bottled in February, 2010.RR 99 (8/2010): Even more impressive than the Réservée and a noticeable step up, the 2007 Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée da Capo is one deep, dense puppy and yields awesome aromas of cassis and blackberry fruit, licorice, dry aged beef, and copious stem and garrigue on the nose. The purity and delineation are truly something and the wine has spectacular intensity, depth, and richness. The palate is full bodied with a pure, precise texture, perfect balance through the mid-palate and a finish that delivers so much tannin and extract that it’s almost mouth-numbing. Give this rock star wine 7 to 10 years in the cellar and then drink over the following 2 decades. JLL ***** (11/2008): full, co lete red with mauve tints; has a good, broad aroma, has a biscuity black cherry air and a combination of herbs and licorice - has a lot of potential variety. The palate is tightly packed - it is very Grenache in style with its firm red fruits and prune flavours. The finish is robust, nice and deep, and there is an admirable fresh tang at the end. More stylish and live than many 2007s. From 2012.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomduPegau.aspWA 98-100 (10/2009): The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee da Capo (the first made since 2003) is a whopper! Slightly less potent alcohol-wise than the 1998 or 2003, Laurence Feraud compares it to the 2000. With just under 16% natural alcohol, it exhibits a dense purple color along with a big, sweet kiss of charcoal, grilled steaks, beef blood, plums, blackberries, smoked herbs, kirsch, and black currants, fabulous concentration, enormous body, and a finish that lasts over a minute. There is a freshness and vibrancy because of the vintage’s crisp acid levels, and the wine should age well for 30+ years. It reminded me more of the 1998 at a similar stage than the 2000, but that’s splitting hairs given the quality level of this offering. Normally there are 500-600 cases produced, most of it being available through the grey market rather than through any authorized importers. Laurence told me the Capo will be bottled in February, 2010.RR 99 (8/2010): Even more impressive than the Réservée and a noticeable step up, the 2007 Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée da Capo is one deep, dense puppy and yields awesome aromas of cassis and blackberry fruit, licorice, dry aged beef, and copious stem and garrigue on the nose. The purity and delineation are truly something and the wine has spectacular intensity, depth, and richness. The palate is full bodied with a pure, precise texture, perfect balance through the mid-palate and a finish that delivers so much tannin and extract that it’s almost mouth-numbing. Give this rock star wine 7 to 10 years in the cellar and then drink over the following 2 decades. JLL ***** (11/2008): full, co lete red with mauve tints; has a good, broad aroma, has a biscuity black cherry air and a combination of herbs and licorice - has a lot of potential variety. The palate is tightly packed - it is very Grenache in style with its firm red fruits and prune flavours. The finish is robust, nice and deep, and there is an admirable fresh tang at the end. More stylish and live than many 2007s. From 2012.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomduPegau.asp