1995 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape (1.5L)

Very youthful, with a ripe core of red currant and raspberry fruit and licorice flavor surrounded by creamy tannins. Plenty of smoke, mineral and tobacco notes chiming in, but this still has a ways to go, with plenty of grip still on the finish. (JM)

The 1995 vintage was hot and dry, with good weather through to the end of the harvest. It's matured beautifully with 22 years now under its belt. It has a highly spiced nose of star anise, incense, raspberry and poached strawberry. It's beginning to show its age on the palate and is decidedly mellow, its alcohol starting to appear a little raised. It's full-bodied and flowing in the mouth, with good acidity and some very fine tannins still remaining. Spicy notes help maintain freshness on the finish, and although it's fraying slightly at the edges as it approaches the end of its long life, it still has pleasure to give. Time to start drinking up, but there's no immediate rush if it's been stored in good conditions. (MW)