2022 Chateauneuf du Pape

Crafted from vines planted on pebbles, sand, safres and red sandstone, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape V was matured for 18 months in demi-muids. Evoking a deep, powerful and rich bouquet of coniferous forest, spices, ripe dark wild berries and garrigue, it's full-bodied, rich and dense with a sweet mid-palate, multidimensional core of fruit and a powerful yet a bit heavy structure. Laurent Brechet has crafted a very ripe, dense and massive wine that will require several years of aging before it reaches its optimal drinkability.

The inaugural 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape V is a varietal Grenache from three different sites: 20% Admiral G, 40% Puis Nord and 40% L’Avenue. Aged in roughly 20% new oak, the 2022 bursts from the glass with ripe strawberry, pressed violets, raspberry, dried herbs, black cherry and a nuance of cedar. Round, ambitious and crafted for the long haul, this full-bodied red is a serious Châteauneuf-du-Pape of pedigree and style. A long and sophisticated finish rounds it off.

70% Grenache Blanc, 22% Roussanne, 8% Clairette. Whole-bunch-pressed. Vinified and aged for nine months in old oak barrels (55%) and stainless-steel tanks (45%). Tasted blind. A mealy nose that has spiced pear and anise. Medium-bodied but with a warming core of fruit. A touch sweet on the broad finish. (AC)