2019 Chateauneuf du Pape

Looking at the red, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape is brilliant and should be snatched up by readers. Offering a thrilling nose of ripe strawberries, black raspberries, garrigue, and flowers, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, ripe, silky tannins, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. It’s going to drink fabulously well over the coming 10-15 years. The blend is 57% Grenache, 24% Syrah, and 19% Mourvèdre, brought up in a mix of foudre, old barrels, and concrete tanks.

34% Roussanne, 31% Clairette, 27% Grenache Blanc, 8% Bourboulenc. 25% aged in old oak, 75% aged in stainless steel. Neutral nose. Palate is more flavoursome, though not as forthright as you might expect. Orchard fruit, nectarine, melon and light spice are correct for the style. Well-balanced acidity, as well as peach-skin pithiness to provide structure. Good, traditional Châteauneuf that has been cleverly blended. (RH)