Bosquet des Papes Chante le Merle Vieilles Vignaes Chateauneuf du Pape, 1999

I ordinarily don't buy prestige bottlings of Chateauneuf du Pape, but this 1999 Chante le Merle of Bosquet des Papes presented itself as a good buy many years ago. It is 85% Grenache from vines more than 100 years old and is made with only a small amount of new oak.

Medium deep crimson, bright with good clarity. The nose is a bit one-dimensional: strawberries, strawberries and strawberries. Ripe and very pleasant. And over the course of the meal it gained depth and complexity. Same on the palate. Friendly, ripe red berry fruit. My view is that the wine will gain a lot of depth and complexity over the next five to seven years. I am glad I have another bottle or two .