The 2000 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve des Celestins has notes of sweaty saddle leather, roasted meats, dried Provencal herbs, and plenty of kirsch and black currant. Big and fleshy, with a hint of balsamic vinegar, and...

One of the great successes of the vintage and certainly better than their 2003 is Beaucastel’s 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape. Deep ruby/purple in color with loads of licorice, smoked game, black cherry and blackberry...

One of the finest efforts of the vintage is the 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee. There is no Cuvee da Capo in 2004, and as my commentary will make clear, they decided not to produce one in 2005. The 2004 Chateauneuf...

Deep ruby. Smoky raspberry and licorice aromas, with a complex array of garrigue, fresh flowers and spices building with air. Vibrant cherry and dark berry flavors are youthfully gripping and finely etched, becoming more...

If the 2006 represents a 1991-ish feminine offering, the 2005 Cote Rotie Chateau d’Ampuis is a macho, masculine-styled effort. Dense, concentrated, and powerful, with gamy black currant, spice box, bacon fat, and...

I was surprised by the softness and roundness on the attack of the 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape. It reveals beautiful sweet blackberry, a hint of apricots, and strawberry notes intermixed with garrigue, leather, and spice. In...

As I stated last year, there is no Hommage a Jacques Perrin in 2006, but Beaucastel’s 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape is performing even better from bottle than it did last year. Its dense plum/ruby/purple color is followed...