1998 Domaine de Beaurenard, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Boisrenard

Noticeably more youthful than the classic cuvee, the 1998 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Boisrenard is roughly 85% Grenache and 15% Mourvedre, yet it includes all 13 of the permitted varieties as well. Coming mainly from the lieux-dits of Beaurenard, Cabrieres and Coteaux de l'Ange, it spent 18 months in small barrel. Currants, black cherries, new leather and wild herb characteristics all emerge from this full-bodied, seamless and elegant Chateauneuf du Pape. Much more civilized and polish than in its youth, it's fully mature, but one of the more youthful, vibrant wines of the vintage today.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 29/06/2010 Still young and needing more time, the 1998 Chateauneuf du Pape Boisrenard still exhibits, even at age 12, some vanillin, oaky, espresso notes from its barrel aging, but also abundant creme de cassis and black cherry, as well as some chocolate, licorice, and tar. Dense, rich, full-bodied, but one of the more backward and youthful wines of the vintage, this wine begs for another 4-5 years of cellaring and should last 20+ years.

Full ruby-red. Redcurrant, roasted nuts, mocha and sexy oak spices on the nose. Quite full and strong in the mouth, but given shape and brightness by lively acidity. Intense red berry and spice flavors are not at all overwhelmed by oak. Lush and concentrated. Here the tannins are rather fine and well-buffered, and nicely sweetened by the oak treatment.