With a long-awaited break in the temperatures and the prospect of my
mother leaving the hospital tomorrow, we broiled some lamb chops and opened:

1999 Font de Michelle Chateauneuf-du-Pape
nose: meaty, kirschwasser
palate: vivid acidity, medium body, fully resolved tannins

Jean had requested a Chateauneuf with the lamb, so I chose this as one
of our readiest examples. Quite ready with great balance and a very
"typical" profile of meat and cherry fruit, this wine was a
counterexample to the "bigger is better" school of winemaking in the
region. Very nice with the lamb.

Mark Lipton