2018 Downstream
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Tasting notes
The 2018 Downstream is a more Grenache-dominated blend, and this beauty flirts with perfection. Showing consistently just about every time I’ve been lucky enough to try a bottle, it has almost overflowing notes of darker berries, ground pepper, smoked game, and spice as well as a powerful yet ethereal style on the palate that's hard to describe. Offering a terrific sense of freshness, some obvious salty minerality on the palate, no hard edges, and a great, great finish, count yourself lucky if you have any bottles. As I wrote in 2020, it will stand toe to toe with any top Châteauneuf du Pape out there. I was thrilled to be able to taste through a retrospective of all the Downstream releases, and while I’ve reviewed all of these in the past, it was incredibly educational to sit down and taste through the vintages together. The blends have changed dramatically since the inception, and you see that clearly in the style of the wines. The quality, however, is consistently great across the board. Unfortunately, with the passing of collaborator Philippe Cambie, the 2019 will be the last vintage produced. These are brilliant, singular, tiny production releases, and count yourself lucky if you have some in the cellar.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Opaque magenta. Expansive, spice- and mineral-accented cherry and dark berry liqueur, fruitcake, licorice and woodsmoke aromas are complemented by suggestions of cola and mocha. Vibrant, sharply focused red and blue fruit, candied lavender and exotic spice flavors show superb definition and turn deeper and sweeter as the wine opens up. Polished, finely woven tannins come in slowly on a wonderfully persistent and incisive finish that echoes the blue fruit, floral and spice notes.
Deep ruby-purple, the 2018 Downstream offers pretty red and black berry fruits with touches of licorice, violet and blueberries. The full-bodied palate offers dense fruits in a firm, grainy frame with surprising freshness, finishing long and uplifted.
Normally a Zinfandel-dominated blend with a splash of Grenache and Mourvèdre, the 2018 Downstream comes from a collaboration between two great winemakers, Justin Smith in Paso Robles and Philippe Cambie in the Southern Rhône. I've loved every vintage of this cuvée, and the 2018 is no exception, showing a more Rhône-like style in its darker berry fruits, bouquet garni, pepper, and flowery incense aromas and flavors. Where previous vintages were incredibly expressive and almost overflowing with Zinfandel character, the 2018 is more masculine and structured and benefits from plenty of air. With full-bodied richness, a polished, elegant texture, ample tannins and structure, and a blockbuster of a finish, give bottles another year or two and enjoy over the following decade or more. This will stand toe to toe with any top Châteauneuf du Pape out there.