2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee

Combining elegance, power, purity, and complexity, this hits all the right notes from start to finish. The nose displays a floral bouquet along with kirsch, black raspberries, and red plums topped off with thyme, peppery spice, garrigue, and wet earth. The mid-palate is packed with fruit and the finish starts off strong and builds in intensity with its layers of ripe, vibrant, peppery fruits and its gorgeous sense of purity. You should lay this down for 6-7 years before pulling a cork as it is one of those wines that gains complexity in the bottle. The wine is usually made from 90% Grenache, 5% Syrah, and 5% Counoise . If this seems like your thing, grab a few bottles as it becomes close to impossible to find as it matures. Drink from 2026 - 2040 99 Points

Lastly, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Reserve is another magical wine, and I might have rated this cuvée a perfect score more than any other Southern Rhône. Unquestionably in the same realm as the 2017, 2016, 2010, 2005, 2003, and 2001, it has an incredible, full-bodied, massive style that somehow stays perfectly balanced, with flawless integration of its fruit, tannins, acidity, and alcohol. Lots of red, blue, and black fruits, loamy earth, Asian spice, licorice, and violet nuances emerge from the glass, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, building yet polished tannins, and a great, great finish. It’s a sexier, more opulent wine than the Les Hauts-Lieux release yet has the same perfect tannins that are so rare to find in the vintage. This required at least 4-5 years of bottle age and will drink brilliantly for 20-25+ years.

Cask sample, tasted at the domaine. Very sweet fragrant fruit, mocha and violet-tinged with leather and crushed blackcurrant also with red fruits underneath and a mineral graphite note on the nose. Sweet fruit on the palate, really ripe and succulent tannins. Wonderful depth with an unctuous mouthfeel – excellent freshness and a long finish. (AC)