The first vintage for the tiny production, old-vine Grenache cuvee, the 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is 100% Grenache, from the oldest holdings of the estate, that was raised in older, small barrels. It's a sensational 2004 that exhibits lots of plum, black cherries, caramelized meats, chocolate and violet aromas and flavors. Big, rich, full-bodied and uncommonly sexy and textured in the vintage, it is drinking beautifully today but should have no issues evolving through 2019+.

Ruby-red. Sexy oak spices accent ripe blackberry and cherry on the nose, with a strong vanilla note arriving with air. Round and creamy in the mouth, showing very sweet, almost liqueur-like dark fruits and oak spices. Velvety tannins add support but this is essentially a fruit and oak bomb.

Deep purple. Rich and sumptuous bouquet already. But a little bit overdone. There’s a sense of yesterday’s fruit salad. I wouldn’t mind a little bit more zest and freshness. Some rather exotic fruits in it though – papaya even! (JR)