1998 Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

The 1998 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve is a fair step back from the incredible 2001, 2003 and 2005, yet is still a beautiful 1998 that's drinking at point. Black cherry liqueur, candied licorice, burnished wood, liquid smoke and cured meats all give way to a full-bodied, concentrated Chateauneuf that has plenty of fine tannin and a great finish. As is common with a lot of '98s, its structure is front and center, yet I think it has the fruit to continue evolving nicely.