2003 Janasse - Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes Rhone Blend - France - Southern Rhone - Chateauneuf du Pape - Red

colour was slightly lighter than expected; rich and sweet nose with spices and alcohol; on the palate it was port-like -- hardly surprising considering it was 15 degrees -- with strong black cherry flavours; the tannins were almost completely gone; not sure how many more years it will last but lovely now

Medium purple red with thick essentially colorless legs. Piercing sweet cherry and raspberry, anise, and muted pepper scents ? a lilting simply gorgeous nose. Plenty of tannins but they are quite velvety especially for this vintage. Deep juicy and youthful fruit on the palate with loads of chocolate coming on during the finish. 85% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 3% Mourv?dre, and 2% "Other". Janasse?s vines on average are over 80 years old. 75% of the wine was aged in foudre with the remaining 25% in barrique (40% of which was new). Janasse eschews filtering the Cuv?e.