2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Boisrenard

The structured and backward, inky ruby/purple-colored 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Boisrenard offers notes of chocolate, cocoa, smoke, creme de cassis and black cherry liqueur. Some licorice also makes it into the picture. The wine is full-bodied, layered, softer than previous vintages, with tremendous voluptuousness to the texture as well as an expansive, broad, persistent finish. Drink it over the next 10-12 years. Importer: New Castle Imports, Myrtle Beach, SC; tel. (843) 497-8625

Deep, dark red color. Highly expressive, very ripe aromas of dark cherry, plum liqueur, black cardamom, bitter chocolate, espresso and exotic oak spices. An enormous, outsized wine, with broad, sweet dark fruit and mocha flavors accented by pepper and oak spice. Boasts a lush, even unctuous texture, but as rich and reflective of the vintage as this is, there is also wonderful focus and energy.

The structured and backward, inky ruby/purple-colored 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Boisrenard offers notes of chocolate, cocoa, smoke, creme de cassis and black cherry liqueur. Some licorice also makes it into the picture. The wine is full-bodied, layered, softer than previous vintages, with tremendous voluptuousness to the texture as well as an expansive, broad, persistent finish. Drink it over the next 10-12 years. Feb 2006, www.robertparker.com