1999 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes

The 1999 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes possesses a mineral-laced, black cherry, and plum-scented perfume. Full-bodied, with exceptional purity as well as abundant tannin in the finish, it is a layered, serious vin de garde, especially for the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2017. ||Rhone wine enthusiasts need to jump on Domaine de la Charbonniere's band wagon before the estate becomes better known. Proprietor Michel Maret is doing everything right, producing wines with individual character from low yields and bottling without filtration. It is one of the most serious Chateauneuf du Pape estates, and, fortunately, has good representation in the USA.||Readers should also note that Michel Maret is fashioning competent white Chateauneuf du Papes (generally an innocuous category). He uses approximately 40% Roussanne in the blend. Wine Advocate.December, 2001

Bright ruby-red. Sweetly perfumed aromas of cherry, raspberry and cedar. Sweeter, riper and more supple than this estate's other '99 offerings; this pliant wine really expands on the palate. Thick and creamy but nicely delineated, with a faint liqueur-like quality. Finishes with big but suave toothcoating tannins and a slightly medicinal character.