1990 Chateauneuf du Pape Chante le Merle Vieilles Vignes

The debut vintage of Bosquet des Papes' old vine, super-concentrated Cuvee Chantemerle, the 1990, is one of the modern day classics of Chateauneuf du Pape. While fully mature, it exhibits a healthy dark ruby/purple color in addition to an exotic, flamboyant nose of smoked meats, dried herbs, incense, Chinese black tea, and luxurious quantities of sweet cherry, plum, and blackberry fruit. Enormous in the mouth, with no hard edges, a voluptuous textur{F78100}e, and awesome concentration, this thrilling effort is a tour de force in winemaking. It should continue to evolve and last for 15+ years. The alcohol is undoubtedly in excess of 15%, but there is no hotness given the extraordinary degree of extract, fruit, glycerin, and flavor. Wow!