The 2003 vintage was the first vintage ever where they started harvest in August, and this sweltering hot year yielded erratic, yet sometimes brilliant wines. The 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape is a full-on success and has lots of sweet kirsch, roasted herbs, licorice and Provencal garrigue as well as full-bodied richness, impressive concentration, and sweet tannin (tannin ripeness was the true difficulty in the vintage). It's fully mature, and I see no need to hold off, but it will keep for a few years and decline gradually.

The 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape is superb and one of the best regular cuvees Marcoux has ever made. This wine, which tips the scales at 15% alcohol, has great intensity, a dense ruby/purple color, no shortage of tannin, but wonderful sweetness, a huge tactile impression due to high glycerin, gorgeous layers of fruit, and a pure, long finish of 45+ seconds. It is a brilliant cuvee of Chateauneuf du Pape that will benefit from 1-2 years of bottle age, and should drink well for 12-15. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565