This was one of the two best Chateauneuf-du-Papes of the 1998 vintage I have tasted this summer (the other was MARCOUXs Vieilles Vignes), and this vintage is without a doubt the best since at least 1990 ! [To be honest: I had no opportunity to taste the Beaucastel „Jacques Perrin“ and „chez Henri Bonneau“]. This is a selection Laurence Feraud made from the domaine´s best juice, it was aged more than a year in small Burgundy barrels (not new) and rests now in foudre for several more months! The colour is awesome, very dark with deep purple-red reflexes, an enormous bouquet of very ripe (but not overripe) black fruits (blackberries, black-currants), mushrooms, Provencal spices, leather, bitter-chocolate and coffee-grounds, very full, but elegant and velvet on the palate, intensive and powerful, but not heavy, certainly with high tannin-level which is at present almost not noticable owing to the lush and silky fruit. This wine is already a great pleasure to drink, but will I think shut down a little bit after bottling, evolving great complexity and tertial aromas over the next 25 years ! Out of cask 96-98 /100 points ! Also the Cuvee Reservee 1998 is of very high class, but without the polished, silky texture, more robust and typical for the appellation, tannins more forthcoming (out of cask 93-96/100 last year, not yet tasted out of bottle). Buy them wherever possible ! In addition I want to lead your attention at the MUSIC on the back label: the "Petite Symphony Du Pegau" has been written by ME - it is dedicated to Laurence and Paul Feraud of Pegau - to hear more about contact me at praesent@telering.at !