2004 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve Sixtine

Beautiful nose of pure black cherry, raspberry, licorice and subtle spice and charred wood notes. Medium to full bodied with a seamless, silky texture, very clean fruit, great balance and a long finish.

The 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape is one of the less inspiring vintages that Diffonty has made over recent years. It is spicy, peppery, has good ripeness, but it is superficial and monolithic. This is one more estate that has come back strong because of a change in generations with the young, competent Jean-Marc Diffonty replacing his father, one of the grumpy but personality-filled characters of Chateauneuf du Pape. Yet from a winemaking standpoint, the father was inflexible and unwilling to change. Diffonty has lower yields and introduced a new blend, the Reserve Sixtine which is a blend of 50% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Mourvedre, the latter two components spending time in small oak barrels. Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173

Dark red. Cherry, wild strawberry, licorice and lavender on the nose. Energetic red fruit flavors show excellent depth and sweetness and are nicely supported by fine, dusty tannins. The lively, precise finish features a lingering spiced berry quality and striking persistence.