The 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve des Vieilles Vignes comes close to equaling the brilliant 1998 or 2000. Dark ruby with hints of purple, it is a serious, tannic and structured wine with considerable muscle, some elevated tannin, but plenty of sweet black raspberry and black cherry fruit offered in a full-bodied, well-delineated, structured style. The wine’s persistence on the palate augurs well for the future. Give it 2-3 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 12-15 years. Very impressive! Importers: T. Edward Wines, New York, NY; tel. (212) 233-1504