The 2005 Reserve, which comes from ancient 101-year-old Grenache vines planted in pure sand, has an inky/purple color as well, an extraordinary nose of graphite (even though there is no new oak used, only ancient foudres), fabulous purity of blackberry, cherry, and cassis fruit with hints of licorice, smoke, and a touch of resin and spice. Still uncertain about the finalized name because this is the 100th anniversary of the estate, the “Reserve” could have some other name such as “Hommage.” However, it will be the only other Chateauneuf du Pape other than the bottling just reviewed. This is a fabulous wine that certainly will be one of the monuments of the vintage, and a wine capable of lasting 25-35 years. It will also require some patience from purchasers – needing 4-5 years of bottle age. This estate in the very northern sector of Chateauneuf du Pape celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2005, but the extraordinary wines have only really come with the emergence of Jean-Paul Daumen as a seasoned and competent producer, over the last seven to eight years. He is now one of the truly stunning producers in all of France and, somewhat unusual for Chateauneuf du Pape, he doesn’t make any white Chateauneuf du Pape.Importer: A Christopher Cannan Selection, various American importers including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300 and Diamond Wine Merchants, Oakland, CA; tel. (510) 567-9897