Possibly the wine of the vintage and the best bottle of this I’ve had to date, the 2003 Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes has a drop-dead gorgeous bouquet of spice-laden red and black fruits, licorice, graphite and mineral to go with a seamless, full-bodied and decadently-styled palate. Seriously rich and voluptuous, yet also perfectly balanced, poised and fresh, this beauty should continue to shine for another decade, although I see no reason to delay gratification.

One of the vintage’s most compelling wines, the huge, dense purple-colored 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes offers aromas of creme de cassis, creosote, and flowers along with immense concentration, body, and tannin. The finish is reminiscent of a first-growth Bordeaux, meaning it is well-delineated and tannic. Cellar it for 4-5 years and consume it over the following two decades. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 23/02/2006 One of the vintage’s most compelling wines, the huge, dense purple-colored 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes offers aromas of creme de cassis, creosote, and flowers along with immense concentration, body, and tannin. The finish is reminiscent of a first-growth Bordeaux, meaning it is well-delineated and tannic. Cellar it for 4-5 years and consume it over the following two decades. One of the vintage's most compelling wines, the huge, dense purple-colored 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes offers aromas of creme de cassis, creosote, and flowers along with immense concentration, body, and tannin. The finish is reminiscent of a first-growth Bordeaux, meaning it is well-delineated and tannic. Cellar it for 4-5 years and consume it over the following two decades. (97)

Saturated dark red. Explosively aromatic, highly complex nose offers kirsch, raspberry liqueur, blueberry, tarragon, baking spices, smoked meat, espresso and hot asphalt. Lush and hefty but suave, with rich flavors of sweet dark berries, framboise, candied chocolate and licorice that build and deepen with aeration. A brisk mineral note keeps the fruit in check and adds focus and lift to the knockout, silky finish.

Surprisingly fresh and aromatic for a 2003, with gently floral notes. Full-bodied and full of squished strawberry fruit. The alcohol is decidedly high, but the acidity helps to keep the wine in order. Powdery tannins on the tongue. There's impressive length here. I would drink up now, this isn't the greatest vintage of Vieilles Vignes, but it's impressive for a 2003, which has produced a lot of wines that taste more of the climate than the place. They decided to wait and not pick too early, then it rained on the 8th of September, so the gamble paid off. The blend also contains some Clairette Rose, Cinsault and Counoise. (Tasted from magnum, prices quoted are per 75cl bottle).

The ’03 Vieille Vignes has a rich, almost decadent bouquet with super ripe black cherry, blueberry, boysenberry and fennel, developing violet aromas with time with touches of cumin and thyme. The palate is full-bodied, rounded and corpulent in texture with layers of mouth-coating black cherry, cardamom, damson and creme de cassis that fan out on the lascivious finish too sexy to take home to meet mum. This is a pup with a long-life ahead. Drink 2013-2030. Tasted June 2010.