With tonight's dinner of lamb, Jean had initially requested a Pinot Noir from the cellar. When I demurred, she then suggested a Rhone wine. So, down I went and came back with:
1998 Font de Michelle Chateuneuf-du-Pape nose: cherries verging on kirsch, a hint of meat palate: velvety smooth, cherry fruit, polishedHaving now exhausted our cache of '94s and still waiting on some of our bigger '89 and '90s, I have begun to move onto some of our more ready '98s. If this wine is any indication, they are indeed quite drinkable at this stage. The oak treatment of the Gonnet brothers is evident in the polished mouthfeel of this wine, but the oak is fully integrated and evident only as a textural element. Very nice with the lamb on a cold Winter's night.
Mark Lipton