2001 Chateauneuf du Pape

An upfront, perfumed wine that is open for business, the 2001 Domaine de Marcoux Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault, and 5% Syrah that’s completely destemmed and aged for 16 to 18 months in a combination of concrete tank and oak vat. Kirsch, framboise, roasted herb, garrigue and licorice all show up on the extroverted nose, and the palate follows suite with a soft, almost slutty profile of sweet fruit, lush texture, and upfront personality. Drinking at point and I don’t see any reason to hold off.

Good medium red. Aromas of roasted plum, raspberry and redcurrant, plus a whiff of mocha. Juicy, bright and vinous, with urgent currant and raspberry flavors showing lovely elegance and impressive inner-mouth energy. Finishes very ripe and vibrant, with superb lift.

The 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape (14.8% natural alcohol) is a sexy, surprisingly up-front Marcoux with a succulent personality, tremendous opulence, and loads of blackberry liqueur aromas intermixed with melted licorice, smoke, and Asian spices. Drink this low acid, heady, plump, full-bodied, sexy Chateauneuf over the next 10-12 years. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate # 151 Feb 2004