392. Domaine Font de Michelle, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 1998

£20; 14%

For my first ’98 Châteauneuf, this was rather disappointing (albeit better a day later, with some oxidation). Mid-depth garnet core, with a medium-width brick rim. Initially had a smoky, animally layer over stewed, strawberry fruit. This dissipated somewhat with time. Sweet fruit palate, with low tannin. Medium acidity and quite high alcohol. Peppery, smoky finish. Maybe some minerality? Anyway, just a bit disjointed – nothing quite fitted together.