The 1998 Chateauneuf du Pape offers a complex nose of cherry liqueur intermixed with smoke, pepper, and spice. It is medium to full-bodied, with excellent power and harmony among its diverse elements. Although closed, there is a sense of weight and intensity in the mouth. Quasi-traditional in style, the fruit is fresh and the wine sweet. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2016. Importer: Mervyn Hecht Wines, Santa Monica, CA; tel. (408) 685-1148, and Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173