An explosive and racy Châteauneuf bursting with roasted game wild berry grilled bread dark chocolate and espresso character. Ripe and sweet-tasting with enough opulent fruit to balance the firm tannin structure that rises like an impenetrable wall on the spectacular finish...

The 1998 Chateauneuf du Pape from the Michel family was firing on all cylinders for this retrospective, and while I’ve had bottles stateside that seem tired, this was beautiful on all accounts. Garrigue, truffle, leather and plenty of ripe fruit flow to a full-bodied, mouth filling and unctuously textured feel on the palate. A classic, foudre-aged blend of 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and the rest other permitted varieties, I would drink bottles ASAP while they’re showing this beautifully, but it will certainly hold nicely for another 7-8 years. - Jeb Dunnuck