Chateau Mont-Redon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2004

Château Mont-Redon's 200 acres of vineyards occupy Châteauneuf-du-Pape's most extraordinary microclimates, and are among few to include all three soils types of the region. On its plateau's summit, planted in Grenache and Syrah, is a deep layer of large, round stones over a clay subsoil which deeply root the vine and also act as a natural incubator, radiating heat absorbed during the day into the grapes by night. At the plateau's foot, sandy soils support Mourvèdre and Cinsault vines; these lend richness and aroma to complete the structure of the Grenache and Syrah.

Château Mont-Redon expresses its "terroir" in a wine vinified to exhibit deep, clean, intense fruit, ripe, balanced tannins and approachability without sacrifice of longevity. Its dense, purple-red color suggests the aromatic nose of ripe black fruits offset by notes of spice, leather, coffee and pepper which are confirmed on the palate. The rich, intense fruit flavors are set in a full tannic structure at once firm and ripe, carrying into a warm, sustained and complex finish.