2001 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes

Starting out tight and slightly muted, needing a fair bit of air to shine, the 2001 Domaine de Marcoux Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes is garrigue and mineral-driven, possessing a dense core of roast meat, coco powder, licorice, and spiced red fruits on the nose. This is followed by a dense, structured wine that stays focused and concentrated through the mid-palate, shows a layered, balanced profile, and a beautifully long, chewy finish. While there’s some maturity to the aromas, this is still in the early stages of maturity and should benefit from another 2-4 years in the cellar. This cuvee always comes from three separate plots of very old vines – Charbonnière (located close to La Crau), Gallimardes (very warm and located in the southern portion of the AOC) and Esqueirrons (located west of the village and composed of clay, limestone soils.) A blend of close to 100% old vine Grenache (100-110 year-old vines), there’s a small portion of Cinsualt and other varieties. Completely destemmed, the wine is aged for 16 to 20 months in cement tanks, with a small portion in small barrel.

Dark red. Extravagant, superripe nose combines strawberry, raspberry, roasted game, gingerbread and molasses. Huge and dense, with powerful extract and compellingly sweet strawberry, raspberry and spice flavors. Full-blown Chateauneuf that almost magically maintains its freshness and balance. Like a solid on the slow-mounting, compellingly sweet aftertaste. This has blossomed spectacularly since I tasted it in barrel last November.