2000 Chateauneuf du Pape

The 2000 Chateauneuf du Pape exhibits oomph and power. It possesses a medium ruby color already revealing pink at the rim. Waves of strawberry and cherry fruit soar from the glass, and caresses the palate in a silky, charming style. Full-bodied, with copious glycerin as well as heady alcohol, it is dominated by its beautiful fruit. Drink it over the next 5-7 years. This wine is a great value. The dynamic mayor of Chateauneuf du Pape, Jean-Pierre Boisson, tends to produce wines that mirror his exuberant, charming, gregarious personality. These are among the friendliest offerings of Chateauneuf du Pape, with compelling fruitiness and consumer-friendly, lush styles that make them oh, so charming to drink. These are sexy, fruit-driven Chateauneufs. They will not be the longest-lived wines of the appellation, but the quality, purity, and presence of the fruit as well as their pure pleasure giving style make them even better than my scores suggest. That, combined with an extraordinarily reasonable pricing policy make these some of the most endearing Chateauneuf du Papes to purchase year in and year out. Importers: Touton Selection Ltd., New York, NY; tel. (212) 255-2506, P. Jacques, Solon, OH; tel. (216) 248-9190, Transattrade Co., Inglewood, CA; tel. (310) 672-1930, and Laurent Selection, Landover, MD; tel. (301) 772-0022