Clos du Mont-Olivet
Rhone, France
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Selection Reflets
Blend
1999
$55.99
13.5%
Clear, washed out rusty red to orange, weak rims, looks diminished. Damp earth and sous bois in the nose, close to metallic, animal fur, barely any fruit left, cherry pit to blackberry, all tertiary with an "autumnal" feel. In the mouth it's light to medium-bodied and the acidity seems prominent, dry texture. Still earthy, stony and metallic but air time helps it soften and eventually release a greater portion of raspberry, blackberry to red cherry fruit, albeit minimal juiciness. Leather, twigs, dried grapefruit peels, not floral. Past its prime while not entirely dead, just best you don't want a fruit-driven wine. Unspecified percentages of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, etc. 1.5 liter bottle.
87 points

Note: Cellared this since release, thought it would hold up this long in magnum format but no dice. Disappointing.