A funky, vegetal, aged beef sort of smell blew off after several minutes in the 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes. It is an animalistic-styled offering with rustic tannin as well as notes of sweet figs, jammy cherries, and currants. Medium-bodied with sharp tannin in the finish, its rusticity suggests a true vin de garde, but I’m not sure there is enough concentration for aging beyond a decade. In any event, it requires 2-3 years of cellaring, and should drink well for a decade. Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173