Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee, Domaine de la Vieille Julienne

Note:

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.