2022 Chateauneuf du Pape

Starting with the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape, this deep ruby/plum-hued effort is based on 60% Grenache, 31% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre, and the rest a mix of varieties that was brought up in new and old barrels and concrete. It has a gorgeous nose of black raspberries, Bing cherries, spicy garrigue, leather, and ground pepper, with just a kiss of background oak. With medium to full-bodied richness and a concentrated yet focused, elegant style on the palate, it's going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and drink brilliantly over the following 15+ years.

Aromas of violet, dark wild berries, lavender and smoke preface the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape from Mont Redon, a medium to full-bodied, concentrated and structured wine with an assertive tannic frame, velvety tannins and a long and spicy finish. Mainly Grenache Noir with Syrah, Mourvèdre and other authorized grapes, it's matured only 8% in new barrels and the rest in a combination of used barrels and foudres.

Blending 55% Grenache with 33% Syrah and 12% Mourvèdre, the 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape packs distinct licorice, gravel, red cherry and violet notes alongside minty undertones. Constructed around a firm tannic core, the full-bodied 2022 is clearly built for the long haul, demanding five more years in a cool cellar. Despite the marked tannins, there is an overall elegance here that I applaud.