As predicted Robert Parker's recent southern Rhône report created a buying frenzy in the wake of ten 100 point reviews and dozens of 95+ point collectibles. Parker's synopsis of the vintage is emphatically positive, declaring that "this may be the most compelling vintage of any viticultural region I have ever tasted." While critics such as Wine Spectator's James Molesworth and the NY Times' Eric Asimov may not agree that the '07 bottlings represent Parker's "vintage of a lifetime," everyone concurs that are plenty of noteworthy wines worthy of your attention.

Daniel Brunier's majestic Vieux Télégraphe scooped up a glowing 96+ point rave in the Wine Advocate, and scored the coveted #3 spot in this year's Wine Spectator Top 10. In the NY Times' modest tasting report, the Jeune family's Domaine Monpertuis nabbed top honors for its persistence and "fresh mineral flavors," while Brunier's modestly-priced Télégramme earned a nod for its "flavors of ripe fruit, licorice, and milk chocolate." Times writer Eric Asimov also lauded Le Vieux Donjon's "balanced" and "complex" '07 bottling, a sentiment echoed by Parker who described the same wine as "the finest Chateauneuf du Pape Vieux Donjon has made since their sensational 1998 and 1990," in his 95 point review.

As the Times tasting panel found when searching for '07 bottlings to sample, many of these wines have started to vanish from retail shelves and the 100 point collectibles have already begun to triple in price on the secondary market. But there are still plenty of outstanding Châteauneufs to be had at fair prices - if you know where to look! The selection below represents a number of the wines mentioned above, as well some of our other favorites from this singular vintage at prices you'll find hard to beat.