Wine By Nine

Red Wine by Bosquet des Papes from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France - Rhone. The surprisingly tannic, structured, medium to full-bodied 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape a la Gloire de Mon Grandpere seems to be somewhat atypical in that it will need several years of bottle age to reach drinkability. There's plenty of tannin here, but also gorgeous levels of sweet black cherry fruit intermixed with raspberry, balsam wood notes, and a pine forest scent. Grenache-dominated, as one might suspect, this wine should be at its best between 2009 and 2028. This superb estate never misses a beat with its wines, which are all reasonably drinkable at a young age, normally exhibit terrific Provencal typicity, and have uncommon aging potential. I still have some soft years like 1983 and 1985 in my cellar that are holding up beautifully. -The Wine Advocate 90-93