2014 Chateauneuf du Pape

Incorporating lots of Mourvèdre, which did well in the vintage, the 2014 Châteauneuf-du-Pape sports a medium ruby color to go with a savory, perfumed nose of red currants, cherries, game, and peppery stems. As with just about every 2014, it’s drinking nicely today with considerable charm, elegance, and purity. It will keep for another decade. The big news at the Guigal estate is the purchase of Domaine de Nalys in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The family has always wanted an estate in the South, and Nalys is an unrealized treasure trove of awesome terroir and old vines, both of which I’ve no doubt will be maximized by this talented family. In addition, the former winemaker at Paul Jaboulet Aîné, Jacques Desvernois, has joined the team, and while it’s not clear exactly what his role will be, I suspect he will largely lead the charge at Domaine de Nalys. Either way, Desvernois is an incredible talent and can only add to what is already a well-oiled machine. As to the wines reviewed in this report, I was able to taste multiple vintages of each of the cuvées and have listed the wines by cuvée as opposed to by vintage, which is how we tasted through the wines.

Guigal's 2014 Chateauneuf du Pape perfectly captures the vintage's less concentrated character, showing off attractive aromas of strawberries, subtle dried spices and something resembling birch bark. It's medium to full-bodied, a bit lighter in weight and color than normal, but pretty and complex. Drink it over the next 4-5 years.