A blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre that is aged partially in small barrels, the 2010 Domaine Lafond Châteauneuf-du-Pape Roc-Epine is a beauty! Displaying a deep, almost opaque purple color, it offers up creamy raspberry, melted licorice, spice-box, and sappy, freshly picked flower and lavender-like nuances on the nose. This leads to a full-bodied, beautifully textured and elegant Châteauneuf-du-Pape that has superb concentration, solid freshness, and a chewy, rich finish. Give bottles 3-4 years in the cellar, and then drink over the following decade or more.