2001 Domaine Font de Michelle Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Tradition

Ruby-red. Bright aromas of black fruits and licorice. More tightly wound and finer-grained than the comparatively supple 2000, even allowing for the difference in age between the two wines. More vibrant in the middle palate. Finishes with very good length and building tannins. (My sample of the Cuvee Etienne Gonnet showed a rather porty nose and some gritty tannins, and seemed distinctly less fresh than the basic cuvee, possibly due to a very low level of SO2; I'll wait to taste the finished wine.)