Domaine de Marcoux Vieilles Vignes 2004

Seemingly always one of the top wines in any vintage, (see the ’05 above), the 2004 Domaine de Marcoux Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes, from the La Crau, Gallimards, and Esquirons vineyards, offers explosive aromatics of framboise, licorice, dried meat, roasted herbs and smoked earth on the nose. Layered and complex aromatically, the wine is full bodied on the palate with fantastic concentration and mid-palate extraction, a stunningly rich, yet fresh and lively texture, and a classy, very long finish. Simply a gorgeous expression of Grenache, this - like many ‘04s - is drinking beautifully now. It should continue to deliver for another 15+ years.

(virtually all grenache) Deep, saturated red. Huge bouquet includes every imaginable red and black berry, along with pungent rose and violet oil. Primary and youthful, with superconcentrated berry and kirsch flavors expanding through the rich, velvety, palate-staining finish. Utterly seamless, spherical, exceptionally pure wine.

I still consider the 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes from the Armenier Sisters one of the wines of the vintage, and it's rare to find another wine with this much texture and richness. As normal, it's slightly darker in color than the traditional cuvee and offers beautiful sweetness in its red and black fruits, garrigue, olive tapenade and spice aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, still fresh, concentrated and elegant, it's drinking at point but will keep nicely through 2024.