Even though the 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition needs 3-4 years of bottle age, this wine (aged 80% in foudres and 20% in tank and made from a blend of 80% Grenache and the rest Syrah Mourvedre, and Cinsault) exhibits a dense ruby/purple color and a big, sweet nose of tree bark, blackberry, raspberry, and cherry with licorice, damp earth, and a hint of Provencal herbs. The wine is long, full-bodied, but still tannic and closed. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2018. This estate has been on an outrageous run of successful vintages ever since 1998, no small thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the two brothers, Jean-Pierre and Thierry Usseglio. For them 2005 is a very structured, concentrated, powerful vintage that will require significant cellaring. Their 2006s are among the great successes of that vintage, much more charming and up-front than the 2005s, but concentrated.Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173