Château Fortia Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Tradition” is that in your face 15% abv monster that should satisfy the Cab drinker, the Amarone lover and the Rhône fanatic.  The color is garnet to ruby with a medium-plus concentration and high viscosity of lightly stained tears.  The robe has a slight variation showing brick to garnet.  The bouquet is powerful with a hint of age, displaying dusty sour cherries, dates, figs, dried raspberry and white raisin. The non-fruit nuances are lilac, gardenia, Irish soda bread, sage, a hint of white pepper and potting soil. The palate is dry and full bodied with the violets and sage amplifying and the potting soil taking on a mushroom quality.  The tannins are medium-plus, the acid is medium-plus and the finish is long and lavender-y.

Well worth the mid-thirties I paid for it. Drink this Châteauneuf-du-Pape with meat or cheeses. The dried fruit nuances lend themselves quite nicely to hard cheeses in particular.