Aged 40% in wood foudres and 60% in barrel, a blend of 47% Grenache, 31% Syrah, and 22% Mourvedre, the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape has a deep ruby/purple color and a wonderfully sweet nose of blackberry fruit, lavender, licorice, and a touch of earth as well a hint of truffle. It is ripe, medium to full-bodied, and very much in keeping with the style of the vintage. Powerful and substantial in size, but with terrific acidity, freshness, and length, it will need at least 2-3 years of cellaring after release and should easily age for at least two decades. These two wines demonstrate the total contrast in styles between the vintages. The 2006 is spicier, slightly herbal, but full, and 2007 is super-deep, multi-layered, but with more black fruits and less spice, at least at this stage of their development.