2020 Chateauneuf du Pape
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Tasting notes
Good concentration, satin texture, good sense of purity. All well balanced, with energy and tension. Feels quite embryonic currently, but has everything it needs to blossom in time. A little meaty, wild, gamey side within. Tannins aren't overly concentrated. You could drink this now on the freshness and tannic thrust, but the rewards will really come in time. And could score higher in time, but hard to be 100% sure at the time of tasting as it feels very young. Grown on the galets roulés of lieu-dit Les Serres, part destemmed.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
The Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is distinctively elegant. A blend of 65% Grenache, 10% Cinsaut, 10% Mourvèdre and other permitted varieties. It presents delicate aromas of juicy red and black fruits, licorice, dried herbs, black olive tapenade and a pinch of white pepper. Plush tannins caress the medium to full-bodied palate, neatly balanced by fresh acidity.
Even within the context of the excellent 2020 vintage in Chateauneuf this is a really stunning wine. Incredible concentration of spiced plum cake with stacks of candied citrus and dried herb aromas. Giant tannin structure but this is so plush and refined, it sweeps you off your feet and carries you in its arms through the super-long finish. Drink or hold.
Approachable out of the gate, with gorgeous red fruit, wild strawberry, licorice root, dusty earth and lavender flavors joined by floral highlights. Beautifully textured and silky on the palate, with mineral intensity building on the palate, imparting nice persistence and length. A polished yet honest, characteristic wine. Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2032.
About the producer
Famille Isabel Ferrando is a leading wine producer in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.