2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve Sixtine

The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Du Vatican, which can be thought of as the entry level wine from the estate, is 64% Grenache, 22% Syrah, and the rest Mourvèdre and Cinsault, brought up in foudre, old barrels, and concrete. It’s a total charmer offering light red fruits, dried garrigue, and spice aromas and flavors as well as a medium-bodied, balanced, undeniably delicious style on the palate. It’s ideal for enjoying over the coming 5-7 years or so.

Deep ruby. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes mineral-tinged dark berries, cherry, candied flowers and incense. Pliant and lively on the palate, showing impressive density as well as energy to the black raspberry, bitter cherry and spicecake flavors. The floral note comes back strong on a highly persistent, youthfully tannic finish that leaves exotic spice notes behind.

64% Grenache, 22% Syrah, 13% Mourvèdre, 1% Cinsault. Aged in a mix of foudre (30%), used barriques (15%) and concrete (55%). Cask sample. Tasted blind. Plum and prune nose with leathery gamey spice. Dense and ripe, underneath there is nice acidity. Full and ripe – clean and full throttle. Fruit cake, and with time this should come through quite nicely. (AC)