A wonderful masterful wine. Both firm and opulent it displays a nice dig into the Rhône terroir as it brings out wet earth mineral and an interesting chewy tannin structure. A high-voltage drinking experience with lots of fruit spice and mocha. Best from 2003 through 2020. 16665 cases made. -PM

Château de la Gardine’s 1998 Chateauneuf du Pape is another terrific wine from this vintage. Big, rich and concentrated, with lots of dark, chocolaty fruit and plenty of meatiness, it has a full, layered mid-palate, sweet tannin and a great finish. It’s drinking at point, but it has a youthfulness to it as well. I suspect it will still be showing nicely in 5-7 years. - Jeb Dunnuck