2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes

Due to the devastating storm on the La Crau plateau just before harvest, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes comes from the La Janasse, Terra Blanche (pebbly portion), and Barnouine lieux-dits and doesn't include the parcel from La Crau that normally makes up the backbone of this cuvée. As such, it's a much more supple, elegant expression of this cuvée, offering ripe red and black fruits, crushed stone, flowers, and Provençal garrigue. With medium to full-bodied richness, it's beautifully balanced, has fine yet certainly building tannins, and outstanding length. Regardless of the modified blend, this is still a gorgeous wine, and given the unique nature of it, it’s little bit of a unicorn. It will have 15 years of prime drinking.

The 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes, a blend of 85% Grenache Noir, 5% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre and 5% of unknown authorized varieties, offers up aromas of flowers, dark cherries, garrigue and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and structured, it has a fleshy core of fruit with a long, fruity finish; however, it also has a strict, firm aftertaste, and there is some concern that the structured, assertive tannins may not fully integrate, even with extended aging.

85% Grenache, 5% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre and 5% other varieties. Partially destemmed and vinified in concrete tanks. Aged for 12 months in foudres (70%) and demi-muids (30%). Cask sample. Tasted blind. Both floral and sweet dark fruits on the nose. A densely saturated palate with firm and chewy tannins. Lavender, garrigue and spiced notes, with gravel, smoke and meaty spice. A saline note on the rich, tight finish. (AC)