2007 Xavier Vins Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Anonyme

First time I've tried this wine.  An impressive showing from winemaker, Xavier Vignon. Opened for slow-o 3 hours prior to dinner. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Counoise and Vaccarese. Wears its 15% abv well for a lush vintage. Possibly one of the more even-handed 2007 vintage CdP's I've had. 

Vignon is also a consulting oenologist in the Southern Rhone, and works for several other domaines including one of my favorites, Marcoux. For his own wines, he employs a negociant methodology sourcing old vines fruit from some of the best parcels in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. It apparently works very well. 

Most noticeable is the pure, balanced aspect of this cuvee. I've had a number of 2007 CdP's that are over-the-top, but this is not one of them.

Sweet florals on the nose with sois bois accents followed by very polished blackberry fruit.  There is a bit of shyness in the mid-palate on day 1 where you know something more is there.  The complexity one wants is there on day 2 where a quite nice pedigree is more fully revealed.  Hints of garrigue and nice minerality make this wine a pleasing complement to a variety of cuisine.