Loads of black raspberries, wild strawberries, licorice, pepper, and spice characterize the full-bodied 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Secrets De Pignan, which comes from what is unquestionably one of the great terroirs of the appellation. With sweet tannins, b...
The 2019 Chateauneuf Du Pape from Laurent is the usual blend of 82% Grenache and the rest nearly equal parts Syrah, Mourvedre, Vaccarese, and Counoise that was brought up all in concrete tank. It shows the sunny, spicy, Provencal style of the vintage beau...
The 2019 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Réservée looks set to rival the best examples of this bottling. Made up of approximately 80% Grenache, with 6% Syrah, 4% Mourvèdre and smaller amounts of other permitted varieties, it's impressively complex on the nose, ...
Slightly deeper hued, the 2019 Chateauneuf Du Pape Cuvee Des Felix is based on 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 5% Syrah, and the rest a mix of varieties and sees a slightly longer elevage in demi-muids (30%) and very old barrels (70%). Blackcurrants, roasted...
Looking at the two top cuvées, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Chaupin (100% Grenache fermented with 50% stems and brought up in foudre and demi-muids) is up-front and sexy, with classic wild strawberry and kirsch notes as well as Provençal herbs, lico...
Lastly, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieille Vignes is easily the most powerful in the lineup and has a rock star nose of ripe black cherries, melted licorice, spring flowers, and gravelly earth. It's rich, full-bodied, has ripe, integrated tannins, and a...
Much more powerful and closed, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes comes more from the La Crau and La Janasse lieux-dits and is the usual blend of mostly Grenache with a touch of Syrah. Blackberries, graphite, scorched earth, pepper, and sappy ga...