The outstanding 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition is a full-bodied, peppery wine that oozes the character of Provence with its notes of lavender, herbes de Provence, and sweet black cherries and raspberries. Some licorice, saddle leather, and salty sea breeze notes also make it into the character of this full-bodied, concentrated wine which is silky enough to be drunk now or cellared for 10-12 years.

The outstanding 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition is a full-bodied, peppery wine that oozes the character of Provence with its notes of lavender, herbes de Provence, and sweet black cherries and raspberries. Some licorice, saddle leather, and salty sea breeze notes also make it into the character of this full-bodied, concentrated wine which is silky enough to be drunk now or cellared for 10-12 years. I asked the Usseglios what the most abundant years were over the last decade, and was told they were 2000, followed by 1999, 1998, 2001, 2003, and the smallest crop of all, 2004. Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173

Medium red. Rich, smoky and superripe, with aromas of dark cherry, plum jam and prune. Thick and rich, with dark berry and roasted cherry flavors a bit subdued today. Finishes with powerful tannic structure, power and grip.