The 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Vin di Felibre has a saturated ruby color to the rim and a big, sweet nose of ripe black currants, cherries, plums, figs, and resiny pine forest notes. Soft, round, savory, with excellent richness, impressive purity, low acid, and plenty of glycerin and alcohol, this is a succulent Chateauneuf du Pape to drink over the next 6-8 years.Importer: Rhone Valley Importing, Wytheville, VA; tel. (888) 691-3100

A celebration of the poet Anselme Mathieu, who was a 19th century Provencal patriot, this wine is labeled both in the Provencal language as well as French. All this stuff surrounding the wine doesn’t detract from its fine quality, its range of plums, black currants and bitter cherries and its intense ripe structure. The dryness at the back promises long aging. Imported by Rhone Valley Importing. ——R.V.(12/31/2005)—— 93