1999 Chateauneuf du Pape

Now bricking throughout, the 1999 Chateauneuf du Pape offers up notes of sous-bois on the nose, yet it remains full-bodied, generous and rich on the palate. An undestemmed, foudre-aged blend of 65% to 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah and the rest a mix of other permitted varieties, it's the poster child for why so-called "off" vintages in the Southern Rhône shouldn't be ignored by collectors, as they can sometimes provide excellent drinking when mature.