Wine Advisor
Marcoux, Chateauneuf Du Pape 1998
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Jeb Dunnuck
Possessing a darker slant to its fruit than the Vieilles Vignes, the 1998 Chateauneuf du Pape gives up beautiful blackberry, ground pepper, cured meats and underbrush to go with a medium to full-bodied, supple, mouth-filling texture. It too is fully mature, yet it still has plenty of mid-palate flesh, sweet tannin and a pure, balanced profile that will keep it evolving gracefully.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 1998 Chateauneuf du Pape's peppery, plum, cherry liqueur, and cassis-scented nose is followed by opulent, long, open-knit flavors crammed with glycerin and alcohol. The high levels of richness and glycerin obscure much of the wine's structure and tannin. This sexy, voluptuously-textured, creamy 1998 should drink gorgeously for 10-15+ years. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, New York, NY; tel. (212) 924-4949
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The spectacular 1998 Chateauneuf du Pape exhibits a dense ruby/purple color in addition to a fabulously sweet nose of creme de cassis, violets, plums, and intriguing floral scents. With high alcohol, an unctuous texture, low acidity, and copious fruit and glycerin, this wine will offer plenty of up-front appeal, although it will last for 10-15 years. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, New York, NY; tel. (212) 924-4949
About the Producer
Chateau Marco has 17.5 hectares of vineyards that are biodynamically cultivated. The average age of the vines is 50 years, and some of the older vines are even more than 100 years old. These old vines grow on 2.3 hectares of gravel land and are the raw material for the production of Domaine de Marcoux Vieille Vignes. Marco Winery operates according to the traditional method. After the grapes are harvested, the grapes are individually destemmed, sorted and then fermented in stainless steel tanks for 3 weeks. Among them, the malo-lactic fermentation process also takes place in the tank. After that, the wine is aged for 16 to 18 months in stainless steel tanks or large oak barrels. Chateau Marco produces 3 Châteauneuf du Pape reds and 2 white Châteauneufs, as well as some Cotes du Rhone wines. Château de Pape Marco is a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 5% Syrah and a few other varieties. The Domaine de Marcoux Ephemere is made from 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah, and is a semi-new wine made by sisters Catherine and Sophie. The origin of this wine was purchased in 2002, and the first vintage was 2003. Made from 100% Grenache, Marco Old Vine Special Wine is one of the top wines in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region. It has an amazing style and is extremely enticing, with a pure and wonderful fruity aroma. This wine is expensive and hard to get in the market.
