Stephen Tanzer
(aging in a new foudre) Bright ruby. Restrained but highly nuanced nose combines crystallized berries, cherry, bitter chocolate and subtle spices. Offers an uncanny combination of density and lift; superpenetrating and brilliantly delineated, but has the velvety texture to wear its tannins gracefully. An extremely youthful, intensely flavored wine of great finesse. Perhaps the showiest sample I tasted in November of unfinished 1999 Chateauneuf du Pape.
Robert Parker
With a hard act to follow, the 1999 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve Le Clos du Caillou showed beautifully and gave up complex spice-box, peppery herbs, game and tobacco-leaf-like aromas and flavors. A full-bodied, rich and layered Chateauneuf, it’s drinking at point, yet will continue to evolve gracefully for upward of another decade.