The 2003 Domaine Bois de Boursan Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee des Felix is superb. Showing a mature, yet still lively and fruit-driven profile of sweet currants, saddle leather, truffle, and garrigue, it stays beautifully rich and seductive on the palate, with layers of sweet fruit, no hard edges and a great finish. Certainly a ripe vintage, yet everything is perfectly proportioned, the tannins are sweet and it is a joy to drink. A blend of 65% Grenache and the balance a mix of Mourvedre and Syrah, from 90-year-old vines, it held up beautifully with air and is a raging success in the vintage. It can be consumed now or over the coming 5-8 years or more.

The 100% Grenache cuvee, the 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee des Felix offers beautiful currants, cherries, incense, black tea, and flavorful, intense black cherry jam intermixed with hints of mineral and black currant. A distinctive, elegant wine that has surprising structure, definition, and an almost Bordeaux-like mouthfeel, this reminds me of the 1998 but seems to be slightly behind the 2001 and 2000. Drink it over the next 12-15 years.Importer: J & R Selections, Mt. Pleasant, MI; tel. (517) 772-3695 and Louis/Dressner, New York, NY; tel. (212) 334-8191