Wine Advocate December, 2001 One of the undeniable stars of the vintage, the 1999 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve is a blockbuster in a year that did not generally produce wines of such power and richness (of course, it includes the declassified Vieilles Vignes cuvee in the blend). A deep purple color is followed by aromas of cassis, kirsch liqueur, flowers, plums, and blackberries. Full-bodied, multi-layered, and fabulously extracted, with low acidity, sweet tannin, and magnificent purity, this is a sumptuous, prodigious Chateauneuf du Pape that should drink well for 15-20 years. It is hard to believe that something this special could have been produced in 1999, but there are a half dozen or so wines at this level in 1999.