2020 Chateauneuf du Pape

The classic 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape is straight-up terrific and excels in the vintage. It will be interesting to compare this to the Le Plateau over the coming 20 years or so. Giving up lots of red and blue fruits, violets, flowers, and hints of graphite, it’s medium to full-bodied, has a layered, seamless mouthfeel, beautifully integrated tannins, and remarkable purity as well as length. It’s a brilliant Châteauneuf du Pape from this talented team that readers will love to have in their cellars. Enjoy bottles any time over the coming 15-20 years.

60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre, remainder Cinsault, Counoise, Muscardin and Vaccarèse. Destemmed. Half aged in barriques (30% new) for a year, half in tank. Tank sample. Lovely wild-strawberry nose, expressive and inviting. Ripe fruits, juicy and has plenty of ripe dark and red fruits. A savoury smoky twang through the middle of the palate. A long and rich finish. (AC)