The tannic, closed, mammothly-endowed 1999 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is a blend of 95% Grenache and 5% Syrah and Counoise. Its opaque dense purple color is followed by a reticent nose of earth, minerals, black fruits, and licorice, massive body, blistering tannin levels, and a firm, enormously-endowed finish. It has the potential to be great, coming across structurally more like a young Beaucastel than a typical Grenache-based Chateauneuf du Pape. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2020.A Patrick Lesec Selection (Paris fax # 011 33 1 42 84 38 22), various American importers, including Adventures in Wine, Daly City, CA; tel. (415) 467-0130, Atlantic Importing Co., Newton, MA; tel. (617) 965-2933, Fine Vines LLC, Maywood, IL; tel. (708) 343-5901, and New Castle Imports, Myrtle Beach, SC; tel. (843) 497-8625