Pegau Chateauneuf du Pape 1998

Red with rust rim.

Melded nose of meat, dried herbs, red cherry, earth/truffle - savory and deep. A bit of blood/iron too, as usual.

Round, mouth-filling, sweet entry immediately buffered by acid-driven, moderate, tannin. Red cherry jam and garrigue flavors ride through mid-palate easily, then substantial, building structure cuts into flavor flow.

Day 2 - Nose a bit "sweeter", with the dried herb aspect heightened too. Textural sweetness has also expanded in the mouth. Structure now quite fine, and in the background until well into the finish.

This could easily go another 5-10 years, as I don't think it has reached its peak yet.

$35 (in 2001)