2014 Clos Saint-Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape

There are two cuvées in 2014, and the estate opted to not produce any of their top releases and focus on keeping as much quality as possible in the their traditional and Vieilles Vignes cuvées. I think this was a great idea and their 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape is a clear success in the vintage. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully concentrated and elegant, with lots of black raspberry, garrigue, spice and licorice, it shows the more charming, layered and forward character of the vintage, yet the tannins are perfectly ripe and it has solid mid-palate depth. Drink it over the coming 5-7 years.

Vivid ruby. Energetic raspberry and boysenberry aromas on the expressive nose and in the mouth, complicated by notes of white pepper and candied flowers. Juicy, energetic and pure; fine-grained tannins shape a very long, spice- and floral tinged finish.