Chante Cigale "Vieilles Vignes" Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2005

Deep red.

Vinturi - vibrant, lifted, intense nose - resinous herbs, earth/nut, raspberry, cherry liqueur.

Intense garrigue flavor, and grip, immediately. No question this includes some serious stem action. The nose suggested no fat, confirmed in the mouth. Lean, chewy, intense and aggressive. But not brutal. Old school. Thank God some people still do this. More open and interesting with several more years in the bottle. I'd guess this will drink well through 2020, at least.

$45