2003 Chateauneuf du Pape

Pale, brick-tinged red color. Suave, floral nose hints at dried rose, lavender, talc and wild strawberry. Understated, elegant and complex, with dusty red berry and floral flavors framed by very fine tannins that do not dry the palate. Finishes supple and long, showing an intriguing, old-school blend of dried fruits and wild herbs.

The 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape is rigid, with some unresolved, hard tannins in the finish. It is medium-bodied, spicy, peppery, and not dissimilar to the 2004 except for the harder tannins and leaner mouthfeel and richness. Feb 2006, www.robertparker.com