While the 1999 performed much better than the 1998, it remains firm and closed, offering plenty of sweet kirsch and blackberry fruit, licorice, spice, and floral aromas. Structured, medium to full-bodied, and moderately tannic, it should be at its finest between 2010-2028.

Clos des Papes' 2001 is a blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah and 5% Counoise. This bottle, purchased upon release and cellared in pristine fashion, was decanted and allowed one hour of aeration prior to sampling over the ensuing two hours. Medium garnet in color, it remains flush with kirsch, blood orange, mulling spice, grilled mea...

This Clos des Papes is for me the best of the recent trio of classics from the 2005, 2004 and 2003 vintages. It combinesterrific fruit with superb structure, and should rival the 1990 when it reaches maturity. It’s really tight now, but it’s packed with dark fig, currant, espresso, licorice and chocolate notes. Superfleshy but seriously structur...

This is very much in my wheelhouse and I'm particularly fond of this year which I think showcases the elegance that this wine can have. Lots of blueberry and blackberry and a hint earthy and very precise and structured and just perhaps a bit lighter in style although in a good way. Very lovely and classy wine.

The 2003 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape has long been one of the most profound wines of the vintage. It somehow manages to offer the vintage’s character in power, high glycerin, and huge volume, but retains remarkable elegance and finesse that is so much in keeping with the style of Clos des Papes. The wine has a dense ruby/purple-tinged col...

Youthful, vibrant, dense. From my cold cellar, where it has been stored since release, this bottle is in perfect condition. Fine tannins make for a solid structure, backed up by cranberry acidity. Bright red fruits, crunchy raspberry, tart cherry. This could easily pass for a wine ten years younger. Quite a bit of alcohol shows through as it war...

 Muted fruit aromas with modest spice. Seems more shut down that anything. Similar on palate with good concentration and density, just everything hidden behind fairly assertive structure. Better 2015-2030 with upside.

An extremely generous pour from a previously unknown fellow dinner. Medium ruby without a trace of maturity. Some secondary aromatics with strong pine needle and licorice notes and a whiff of smokiness. Fairly lean with brisk 1996 acidity that is not out of place and is quite penetrating. Nice mix of red and black fruit, graphite, not that much ...