1998 E. Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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Tasting notes
There are close to 15,000 cases of the 1998 Chateauneuf du Pape from the Guigal family, and it’s an outstanding Chateauneuf du Pape that’s still going strong today. Garrigue, olive tapenade, currants and sweet cherry fruit all emerge from the glass, and on the palate it’s medium to full-bodied, supple, beautifully fruited and loaded with charm. Drink it through 2018 or so.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Drinking at peak and an outstanding, mature Châteauneuf, the 1998 Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape is packed with complex notes of garrigue, tobacco, fennel and spice cabinet. I love the complexity and this is really in a good place at the moment. In the mouth, the wine is medium bodied with a smooth texture, fresh acidity and a savory, long finish. This improved noticeably with air and should have a solid 5 or more years of prime time drinking left.
Bright ruby-red, darker than the Gigondas. Riper, more liqueur-like nose complicated by a peppery nuance. Very ripe and fat in the mouth but tightly wrapped and less showy today than the Gigondas. Best today on the tangy finish, which offers an unusual combination of sheer ripeness and grip.