Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 97 points

A wine that can flirt with perfection on any given day, the 1998 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de La Reine des Bois is rock-star stuff that has overflowing blackcurrants, chocolate dusted meat, graphite and toasted spice-like aromas and flavors. It has off-the-charts richness and depth on the palate, with layers of sweet fruit and tannin, a smoking mid-palate and serious length. This beauty is at full maturity, but well-stored bottles will continue to cruise going forward.

Review date: August 2014