Meridion par Pierre Perrin Chateauneuf du Pape 2010

It was a real coup when current boss Pierre Perrin offered to make an exclusive cuvée for our customers — from the landmark 2010 vintage, which Parker rates an "extraordinary" 97 points. Decanter magazine says that "Pierre Perrin has taken Beaucastel to still greater heights," and you'll taste why with this rich southern Rhône red. It's crafted from hand-picked fruit grown in top sites on the family's estate. Pierre made Meridion by flash heating the grapes prior to fermentation (to extract maximum colour and flavour) and aging the wine for a year in large oak foudres to create a mellow character and add subtle notes of cedar to the concentrated berry fruit flavours. Pierre recommends serving Meridon with roast rack of lamb or cassoulet (a rich, slow-cooked French casserole). If you have the time, try decanting the wine an hour before serving to really open up its full array of aromas and flavors.