2005 Domaine de Cristia Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes

The star of the show in 2005 is the 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes. The second vintage for the cuvee, it's made from the oldest Grenache vines of the estate (80- to 100-year-old vines) and is raised in a combination of mostly used barrels. Inky colored, it has sensational notes of plums, blackberries, garrigue, violet and spice-box. These carry to a full-bodied, sexy and straight-up hedonistic wine that has tons of fruit, sweet tannin and a massive finish. This is a ripe, exuberant, blockbuster Grenache that can be enjoyed anytime over the coming decade or more.

Wow, the 2005 Domaine de Cristia Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes is a massive, concentrated wine with an inky black/purple color and a stunning nose of black fruit, graphite, licorice and floral aromas. Full bodied and powerful with rich, lush fruit, awesome texture and a tannic, long finish. While the nose has some similarities to the 2005 Vieille Julienne Reserve with the massive concentration and graphite notes, the palates couldn't be different. Where the Julienne is very structure and precise, this wine is lush and open and pure sex.

Opaque purple. Explosively perfumed nose offers an exotic array of ripe dark berry preserve, incense and mineral scents. Flavors of cherry-vanilla and creme de framboise are deep, sweet and chewy, with the finish showing youthful tannic grip. Fans of restraint might not dig it but this is showing plenty of seductive charm today.