Clos Saint Michel has turned out a classic 1998 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee offering lots of olive tapenade, tons of smoked meats, roasted herbs and licorice. Made from 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 30% Mourvedre all from the Grand Coulet lieu-dit, it spent a year in barrel before bottling. Medium to full-bodied, fully mature, still nicely textured and ready to go, it’s best consumed over the coming handful of years. - Jeb Dunnuck