A rich, plush, generous style, displaying wonderful aromas, with tiers of fleshy currant, black cherry, wild berry, plum and spicy, cedary anise scents that provide depth and dimension. Ends with a persistent aftertaste and tannins that give this traction. Drink now through 2014. 95 points, Wine Spectator
A ripe, rich, grapey, concentrated, forward style that firms up nicely, with structured plum, wild berry, blackberry and boysenberry flavors that coat the palate. Builds intensity and depth on the finish, with a long, persistent aftertaste. Drink now through 2013. 94 points - Wine Spectator
There’s richness here, but also a lively structure keeping the lime, toast, spice and hazelnut flavors alive and persistent. Though elegant, it remains focused and long, with a vein of mineral underlining it all. 93 points - Wine Spectator
Smooth-textured, supple and harmonious, with subtle layers of currant, spice, herb, anise and light cedary oak, ending with a graceful mix of ripe fruit and fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2013. 90 points - Wine Spectator
Well proportioned, rich and complex, with a mix of ripe currant, plum, cedary oak and herbal notes that pick up a trace of lead pencil before ending with dry cedary tannins. Best from 2010 through 2016. 91 points - Wine Spectator
Complex aromas of cream, ripe apple, mineral and blanched nuts, even flowers. Full-bodied, with lots of fruit and a long, long finish. Intense and beautiful. Like a great white Burgundy. Should age incredibly well. Chardonnay and Grechetto. Drink now. 94 points - Wine Spectator
Fragrant, with fresh, floral pear, honeysuckle, fig and melon flavors that are clean and refreshing, gaining depth and nuance on the finish, with light toasty oak notes. Drink now through 2011. 90 points - Wine Spectator
3 bottle limit
“Dark red. Very precise aromas of strawberry and cherry, with a suave mineral underpinning and a whiff of fresh rose adding complexity. Very Burgundian in its relatively light body, silky texture and graceful red fruit flavors. Picks up an exotic cinnamon quality on the long, sappy finish. This offers fabulous potential for an entry-level wine.” 92-94 Points, Stephen Tanzer
“The 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition is a brilliant wine, dense ruby/purple with sweet black cherry and blackberry fruit as well as hints of licorice, lavender, and truffle. Concentrated, full-bodied, unctuously textured, with low acidity and ripe tannin, this beauty can be drunk upon release or cellared for 10-12 years. This estate has been on an outrageous run of successful vintages ever since 1998, no small thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the two brothers, Jean-Pierre and Thierry Usseglio. For them 2005 is a very structured, concentrated, powerful vintage that will require significant cellaring. Their 2006s are among the great successes of that vintage, much more charming and up-front than the 2005s, but concentrated.” 91-93, Robert Parker