Product Description:

This 2-pack includes 1 bottle of 2008 Giraud Chateauneuf Du Pape Tradition and 1 bottle of 2010 Domaine La Milliere Chateauneuf Du Pape Vieille Vignes.

2008 Giraud Chateauneuf Du Pape Tradition:

"Plump and open-knit, with a good core of mulled plum, blackberry and crushed currant fruit laced with dark tobacco, chestnut and sweet earth notes. This has a twinge of raisin on the finish, but should stretch out a bit with cellaring. Drink now through 2017. 1,020 cases made. - JM" (10/10) - 90 Pts Wine Spectator

"An outstanding wine, the 2008 Domaine Giraud Chateauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of 60% Grenache, 35% Syrah, and 5% Mourvedre that's completely destemmed. The Grenache and Mourvedre are aged in tank and the Syrah in small barrels. The wine displays fresh aromatics of kirsch and raspberry fruit, spice, and bramble nuances. These lead into a medium bodied palate that has a straight, focused feel, ripe fruit, refreshing acidity and a clean, mineral-laced finish. Drink this textbook, workhorse Chateauneuf over the next decade." (08/10) - 90 Pts Jeb Dunnuck - The Rhone Report

"Big and sweet and sinewy. Lots of polish. So different from the supermarket Chateauneuf offerings! Tingly despite the alcohol. Already quite round and resolved. Pretty good. (JR) Drink from 2011 to 2018" 16.5 out of 20 points, Jancis Robinson's Purple Pages (10/11)

Vineyards:
"From several different CNDP terroirs, age of Vines: 60-80 years old, aging: 12-18 months in tank for Grenache & Mourvedre and barrique for Syrah."

About the producer:
Marie and Francois Giraud
"The "domaine" saw the light of day thanks to Pierre and Mireille Giraud’s zeal and two families coming together. The story begins in 1974 when Pierre and Mireille, as their parents did before them, took on 4 hectares (10 acres) of vines. Little by little the Domaine has grown through years exclusively on the appellation. In 1998, Pierre was ready to pass on his love of the vine and wine to his children. Marie and Francois took on the estate hand-in-hand. Under their parents’ watchful eye, they devoted themselves to tending vines and winemaking. They focused their efforts on selecting parcel by parcel, doing minimal treatments, upgrading their cellar to make finer and finer wines while respecting family traditions. Francois tries hard to tend each parcel and variety respecting the "terroir" as much as possible, that alchemy nature provides us with, to fully express our grapes" full character." - Importer

This was also rated 89 points by Robert Parker in the Wine Advocate and 88 points by the International Wine Cellar.

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2010 Domaine La Milliere Chateauneuf Du Pape Vieille Vignes:

"Tasted as a barrel sample, the 2010 Domaine La Milliere Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes is an old vine blend of 60% Grenache and then equal parts Mourvedre, Syrah, Cinsault, and Counoise, that's aged all in foudre and concrete tank. It displays a deep, semi-opaque purple color to go with aromas of crunchy black raspberry, wet stone like minerality, sappy, resinous herbs, licorice, and some exotic spice thrown in for good measure. Full-bodied and structured on the palate, with the textbook 2010 freshness and focus, as well as solid concentration, and a fair dose of ripe tannin, this classic 2010 needed lots of air to shine and continually gained weight and depth over the three days I had the bottle open. There's an elegance and balance to it that will allow it to drink well on release, yet it should ideally be given 5-6 years of bottle age." - 91-94 Pts Jeb Dunnuck - The Rhone Report

"Last year, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes did not perform well in my tastings. However, that is not the case this year. It exhibits a dark ruby/purple color as well as a surprisingly supple style, full body, and pure cassis and black cherry fruit intermixed with hints of Provencal herbs/garrigue, lavender and dusty, loamy soil notes. This round, generous, seductive 2010 is a blend of 60% Grenache and the rest equal parts Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault and Counoise from 85- to 105-year-old vines located in the northwestern sector of the appellation. It should drink well for 10-12 years. I am happy to see that proprietor Michel Arnaud has again turned out one of the best value-priced Chateauneuf du Papes of the appellation." - 91 Pts Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate

"Bright ruby. Ripe red fruits, herbs and fresh flowers on the highly perfumed nose. Lively and precise, with excellent depth and power to its raspberry and cherry flavors. Closes sappy, seamless and long, with lingering floral and spice notes."(01/13) - 91 Pts Josh Raynolds - International Wine Cellar

Wine:
"60% Grenache,10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, 10% Cinsault and 10% Counoise. All grapes are de-stemmed. Fermentation and maceration in cement tank for 20-25 days. Maturing at first in cement tanks and then in foudres for 12-18 months." - Importer

"Michel Arnaud has been in charge at the property since 1983, when he took over from his father Aime Arnaud. If you visit the the domain you can also meet Annie or Claudine, sister and mother of Michel. In 1940 the property was purchased by the grandfather of Michel, Fernand Arnaud."

"The total area with vines is 27 ha. 15 ha. is Chateauneuf du Pape, situated near the domain at lieu-dit Cabrieres, 8 ha. are Cotes du Rhone Village or Cotes du Rhone and 4 ha. are Vin du Pays de Orange."

"The fields for Chateauneuf are varying even if they are situated near each other: Slopes or terrasses covered with big stones or with lime stones, some plots are with clay and other plots more sandy."

"The fields are treated by organic methods "agriculture raisonnee"."

"All the Wines (except those of Vin du Pays) are called Vieilles Vignes, and this is reasonable as 95% of the vines are quite old - also those in the fields of Cotes du Rhone." - Importer

This was also rated 15 out of 20, by Jancis Robinson in the Purple Pages.