The 2005 Marcoux Châteauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is a rock star that’s up with the top 2-3 wines of the vintage. Perfumed, complex and brilliantly Provencal, with sweet kirsch, pepper, crushed flowers and dried earth, it’s full-bodied, seamless and silky on the palate, with no hard edges and incredible length. Opening up in the glass, drink this heavenly Châteauneuf anytime over the coming decade or more.

Deep red. Stunningly aromatic nose offers a kaleidoscopic array of fresh and dried floral scents, red and dark berry tones and minerals. The nose seemed to expand with air, taking on depth and power: I thought I could taste the bouquet! Lush, concentrated and sweet, with a panoply of dark cherry and berry flavors, velvety tannins and a bright spicy character on the back. The finish boasts a palate-staining persistence that's simply uncanny. I wonder which of my daughters I should trade for some of this.

This bottle of 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes holds its cards slightly close to its vest and offers a firm, concentrated, youthful feel in its darker fruits, scorched earth, licorice and mineral-laced bouquet. Full-bodied, structured and concentrated, yet with the seamless texture this cuvee always possesses, it should hit full maturity in another 2-3 years and keep for a decade or more after that.

This is very, very classy. A broody nose of tar tinged black fruits, revealing a more graphite edge with aeration in the glass. Touch of sweaty-saddle adding another dimension after five minutes. The palate is medium-bodied, beautifully proportioned, concentrated but not over-bearing. Crisp, stunning delineation and bewitching poise, the long, smoky finish is to die for. Not cheap though. Tasted November 2006. Drinking 2014-2030.

Very sumptuous yet not too concentrated – everything in great proportion. Not especially deep colour. Sweet and juicy on the front palate but with great integrity and restraint without being wimpy on the palate. Dry but not drying finish. Very impressive wine that should have an impressively long life. This just hums without battering the senses. Lovely! (JR)