2003 Chateauneuf du Pape

Saturated red. Very complex nose displays vivid scents of raspberry, blackcurrant, olive and garrigue Deep, palate-coating red and dark berry flavors are complicated by smoky herbal and floral pastille qualities, with silky tannins adding focus. The floral notes linger seductively on the finish, which is pure, juicy and long. (JR)

Fairly open, the 2003 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape is heady on the nose with lots of raspberry, currant, earth, spice, black tea and black pepper. Great complexity and changes with every smell. Medium to full bodied with a smooth feel and a nice finish. This improved and rounded out after an hour of air time.

The outstanding 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition is a full-bodied, peppery wine that oozes the character of Provence with its notes of lavender, herbes de Provence, and sweet black cherries and raspberries. Some licorice, saddle leather, and salty sea breeze notes also make it into the character of this full-bodied, concentrated wine which is silky enough to be drunk now or cellared for 10-12 years. I asked the Usseglios what the most abundant years were over the last decade, and was told they were 2000, followed by 1999, 1998, 2001, 2003, and the smallest crop of all, 2004. Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173