2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Renaissance

The youthful, inky colored 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Renaissance knocked it out of the park with its smoking aromatics of cassis, blueberries, espresso roast, truffle and roasted meats. These gave way to a full-bodied, rich, sexy and concentrated 2005 that has beautiful underlying structure, plenty of mid-palate flesh, and a great finish. It will still be drinking beautifully in 2025.

Inky purple. Ripe dark berry and cherry liqueur aromas are complemented by vanilla, mocha and mace; a cured tobacco quality builds with air. Fat and round, with sweet, velvety red and dark berry preserve flavors, soft tannins and a long, gently spicy finish. This is already drinking well but ought to repay a few years cellaring.

Dark purple. Exotic, intensely floral bouquet of ripe cherry, raspberry, lavender, rose oil, vanilla and Asian spices. Lush, creamy and suave, with deep, sweet red berry and kirsch flavors, molten tannins and a supple, impressively long finish. This will be drinkable young.