The 1989 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Réservée is more sweetly fruited and upfront than the classically styled 1999, offering a beautiful perfume of kirsch, sappy garrigue, pepper, and tapenade aromas and flavors. It too is medium to full-bodied, has loads of sweet fruit, and a mature, balanced, ready to go style.

Even more impressive on this visit was the superb showing of the 1989 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Réservée. Despite large yields, hot weather and high levels of ripeness, this full-bodied wine maintains a sense of easy silky elegance. Leather and cherries add hints of licorice on the long finish. I don't expect it to stay at this plateau forever, so I'd advise lucky owners to consider drinking up over the next couple of years. - Joe Czerwinski