Chateauneuf-du-Pape can be enjoyed with traditional French food

Chateauneuf-du-Pape, or CdP as it is often referred to by wine geeks, is in the beautiful Rhone Valley region of southeastern France, and is the established fine wine bastion of the storied Cotes du Rhone. It is a tiny appellation in comparison with Bordeaux or Burgundy. But it is known in Europe for its full-bodied wines that have been produced in and around the town for more than two millennia.

Domaine Font de Michelle is a relatively young winery run by the Gonnet family. They have amassed a total of 60 acres from where they produce three red cuvees and one white wine.

In 2003, they recorded what is widely considered the greatest vintage in a generation at CdP, and this is a great representative of that superhot and ripe year, as well as a great value for a wine of this quality from this region.

Font de Michelle CdP is a deep crimson to garnet-red color in the glass with a clean, semiopaque appearance going out into a bright garnet to slightly tinged rim definition with medium viscosity.

The nose is a pure expression of Chateauneuf-du-Pape with big spicy black fruit, cracked black pepper, green bell pepper, herbs de Provence, wet stone and chalky minerals.

In the mouth, the wine has classic characteristics of stewed green bell peppers, white peppercorns, cherry jam, smoked liquid tannins, a dry sort of plum fruit character, notes of herbs de Provence and earthy chalky minerals. The midpalate is well-balanced and it is obvious from the tannins that this wine can age for another 10 to 15 years effortlessly. The finish is incredibly long, lasting 30 seconds, with spicy black fruit throughout, making this a really big Chateauneuf-du-Pape wine. I would probably try this wine with something traditional such as coq au vin and fragrant rice.

Wine: Domaine Font de Michelle Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Grapes: Grenache (70 percent), syrah (10 percent), cinsault (10 percent), mourvedre (10 percent)

Region: Rhone Valley, southeastern France

Vintage: 2003

Price: $29.99

Gil Lempert-Schwarz's wine column appears Wednesdays. Write him at P.O. Box 50749, Henderson, NV 89016-0749, or e-mail him at gil@winevegas.com.