CDP Vieilles Vignes, Domaine de Marcoux 2004

The 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes has a saturated dark ruby/purple color and the tell-tale black raspberry, blueberry, and cassis notes intermixed with black truffle and floral notes. Moderately firm tannins give it a more structured feel than the regular bottling and the wine again shares wonderful purity, texture, and length. This is another beauty that should hit its peak in 2-4 years and last for 15 or more.As I have written in the past, for well over a decade this has been a totally bio-dynamically farmed estate.One of my favorite estates and reference points for Chateauneuf du Pape is that of Sophie and Catherine Armenier. Chateauneuf du Pape, which has made such an extraordinary qualitative renaissance over the last ten to fifteen years, is one of the appellations of France that has an unusual number of women running the show and producing superb wines, and Domaine de Marcoux is certainly one of them.