1998 Vieux-Telegraphe - Chateauneuf du Pape (La Crau) Rhone Blend - France - Southern Rhone - Chateauneuf du Pape - Red

Was expecting a little more. Still shows very nicely. Good red and dark berry fruit accented by delicious spiciness. Medium-bodied with a solid finish.

high levels of brett initially, but that blows off. elegant with dusty tannins and high acid. no hurry

Med.-dark color; nose of black fruit earth, pepper & mushroom; very rich on the palate with good acidity & balance; quite firm but the structure is not aggressive and the tannins have softened & integrated; very long finish. Minimal sediment. Decanted an hour before drinking. Lovely now but will hold and cont. to develop.

Medium deep ruby with a little bit of tawn tint. Medium strong and dense nose. Lots of ripe red and black fruits. Some deep violet floral and leather nose. Medium acidity, medium high tannin. Still on the way to improve. Smooth and round, lots of ripe and nice black fruits with some dark chocolate and plumes. Sligthly earthy palate. Good depth, medium long aftertaste. Nice effort!

Auction bottle, held for a couple of months, in fine shape. This vintage has such depth and breadth. Poured without decanting, and sampled over a couple of hours. Firm, fine, and eminently satisfying CdP, an easy one to share. Long finish, evolving 2ndary aromas of mushroom and earth following the dark fruit and garrigue; bright acidity and balanced throughout. Opened up with time, and held interest. Also consumed faster than expected. So, this is a wonderful wine to drink and share, and built to gain with another 5+ years easily.