Superb Chateauneuf, even better than the sought after 1999 vintage! This wine is a fine, deep, dark-red color in the glass. On the nose it is spicy, with soft, ripe fruit aromas. On the palate there are is round tannins, complexity and power. A rich, full-bodied, smooth wine, with touches of ripe plums, stone fruit and soft fruit. This is a rich wine, with all in harmony and balance. Cellaring: Can be laid down for approximately 15 years. Suggestions for serving: Red meat, game birds and cheese A blend of 50% Old Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah and others from at least approximately 45 year-old vines.

Rating: 92/100 - As reviewed by International Wine Cellar in Issue 106, January/February 2003. ($29; 85% grenache) Red-ruby, a bit less saturated than the Gigondas. Highly nuanced, liqueur-like nose combines roasted red and blue fruits, spices and coffee. Rich, fat and seamless, with near-exotic ripeness. With even more buffering extract, this seems less alcoholic than the Gigondas, despite being a half-degree higher, at 14.9%. Horizontal tannins really spread out over the palate. Philippe Guigal compared this wine in style to the house's 1990.