Maison Brotte’s 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape La Fiole showed nicely at the retrospective, giving up a classic bouquet of black cherry fruit, leather and garrigue, medium to full-bodied richness and a balanced, enjoyable, well-made profile. Drink bottles over the coming 3-4 years.

In 1954, the Brottes launched their famous non-vintage Chateauneuf du Pape La Fiole du Pape. To reiterate, the wine is sold in a misshapen bottle covered in phony dust. There are normally 3 or 4 vintages included in the blend and the current version includes the 2006 (about 30%), 2008 (about 10%), 2007 (about 10%) and the balance 2009. This is the best blend I have yet tasted of this cuvee. The wine reveals classic notes of garrigue, lavender, pepper, earth, sweet kirsch, roasted mushrooms and meat juices. Already drinking well, it should continue to provide pleasure over the next 5-8 years. The Brotte family was among one of the first to estate bottle Chateauneuf du Papes in the early 1930s. Over recent years, under the guidance of Laurent Brotte, the grandson of the founder, Charles Brotte, quality has improved dramatically. Additionally, they have brought in the renowned consultant, Philippe Cambie. Brotte is still best known for their non-vintage, solera blend of Chateauneuf du Pape called La Fiole, which is a huge commercial success. The quality is very good in spite of the phoney dust or the twisted and bent bottle. All of the wines I recently tasted with Laurent Brotte are classy, well-made, high quality efforts. Brotte seems to go largely unnoticed in the American market, but that should change based on what they have been accomplishing over recent vintages.Various American importers based on the state in which you live: www.brotte.com