CDP Cuvée Boisrenard, Domaine Paul Coulon - Domaine de Beaurenard 2003

The structured and backward, inky ruby/purple-colored 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Boisrenard offers notes of chocolate, cocoa, smoke, creme de cassis and black cherry liqueur. Some licorice also makes it into the picture. The wine is full-bodied, layered, softer than previous vintages, with tremendous voluptuousness to the texture as well as an expansive, broad, persistent finish. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.

The luxury cuvee of inky/ruby/purple colored-2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Boisrenard is made in a stunning, somewhat modern style, but it possesses a classically southern Rhone nose of melted licorice, cassis, black cherry liqueur, smoke, white chocolate, and background oak. It leans toward being internationally styled, but pulls back with a reassuring blast of pepper, Provencal herbs, black cherries, and currants in a full-bodied, powerful, intense style that is super pure and long/persistent. This 2003 needs to resolve some tannin, but should be at its peak in 2-4 years, and last for 15 or more.