Notes

This lot consists of the following wines:
Sixtine Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée du Vatican Réserve Sixtine 2006 (1 x750ml)
Sixtine Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée du Vatican Réserve Sixtine 2007 (6 x750ml)

Provenance

Private Client

Critics Ratings

Sixtine Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée du Vatican Réserve Sixtine 2006
‘This is dark and reticent for now, but also pure and loaded with a big core of plum and blackberry fruit, mocha, graphite, licorice and fig cake notes. The long, velvety finish just sails along, with latent grip in reserve. Best from 2009 through 2028.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 93/100

‘A big step up over the classic cuvee, the 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve Sixtine is still inky ruby colored and loaded with darker fruits, garrigue, cured meats and tapenade-like aromas and flavors. Made from 55% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre that was aged in a combination of small barrels and foudre, it’s full-bodied, concentrated and has terrific purity of fruit, all of which allow it to drink nicely today; nevertheless, it’s a only at the early stages of maturity and will have two decades of overall longevity.’ - Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate, 92/100

‘Ruby-red. Exotically perfumed aromas of dark berries, cherry-vanilla, Asian spices and herbs. Deep raspberry and blueberry flavors are sweetened by sexy baking spice and mineral qualities. Finishes with gentle tannic grip and very good persistence.’ - Josh Raynolds, Vinous, 90/100 (Jan 2009)

‘Neat, not showy nose. Well-tempered focused nose of garrigue with lots of structure. Tight and long and confident though more ‘civilised’ than many a Châteauneuf.’ - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com, 18.5/20 (April 2008)

Sixtine Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée du Vatican Réserve Sixtine 2007
‘I loved the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Réserve Sixtine, and this is probably the finest example of this cuvee since the 2003. Made from 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah and the rest Mourvèdre, destemmed and aged in a mix of foudre, old barrels and small amounts of new barrels, it offers terrific purity in its black raspberry and cassis fruits, melted licorice and cured meat aromas and flavors. With full-bodied richness, beautiful mid-palate density and no hard edges, it’s a joy to drink today but will certainly keep for another decade or more.’ - Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate, 95/100

‘Lush and inviting, with crushed plum, currant and blackberry fruit flavors laid over velvety tannins. The long, graphite- and licorice-filled finish glides along beautifully, with solid grip in reserve. Best from 2010 through 2024.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 93/100

‘Vivid ruby. Powerful, ripe scents of red and dark berry compote, cola, licorice and fruitcake. Broad, sweet dark berry flavors show a distinctly warm, liqueur-like personality but betray no rough edges. This has put on considerable weight since last year and displays the warm side of this vintage. The finish is creamy, sweet and very long, with echoes of cassis and mulberry. For its size and volume I find it surprisingly lively.’ - Josh Raynolds, Vinous, 92/100 (Jan 2010)

‘Interesting herbal perfume. Lush and rich – all pleasure, and alcohol, though the tannins seem lighter than in many wines. The acidity is more pronounced than the tannin.’ - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com, 17.5/20 (Dec 2008)