2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes

Showing signs of maturity, the 2003 Domaine de la Charbonnière Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Vieilles Vignes has an evolved color as well as a ripe, heady bouquet of roasted herbs, cigar, leather, and licorice driven fruit. These traits carry over to the palate where the wine is medium bodied with a full, mouth filling texture and loads of firm tannin on the finish. If you’ve got them, my recommendation is to drink up. There is good fruit now and it’s very enjoyable, however, given the overall mature impression and tannin level, I think this will only go downhill from here.

Medium red. Pungently floral aromas of dried cherry and garrigue Quite solid on the palate, showing flavors of wild strawberry, cherry skin, licorice and black olive. A rich, dense wine that finishes with strong, firm tannins.

Bright crimson. If anything this cuvée seems milder and more approachable than the Cuvée du Domaine at this stage. Very rich and round. The chief difference between the two cuvees at this stage is apparent only on the end of the palate with more marked tannins underneath an impressive charge of ripe fruit. (JR)