2019 Chateauneuf du Pape

The base 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape is a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah sourced from the Escondudes, Font de Michelle, le Grand Pierre, and le Mourre de Gaud lieux-dits. It reveals a ruby/plum color as well as a round, medium to full-bodied, charming style offering lots of red cherry and framboise fruits as well as spice, flowery incense, and peppery notes. It's already hard to resist and offers lots of fruit and richness while staying elegant and seamless. Brought up all in old barrels, this classic, satisfying Chateauneuf du Pape will drink nicely for 10-15 years.

Deep, vivid red. Ripe, spice-accented raspberry and cherry scents are complemented by hints of candied lavender and licorice. Seamless and focused on the palate, offering appealingly sweet cherry and red berry flavors that become deeper with air. Finishes vibrant, sweet and quite long, with a resonating raspberry note and chewy tannins that sneak in slowly.

90% Grenache, 10% Syrah. Aged for 12 months in used barriques. Barrel sample. Tasted blind. Leather and currant fruit. Sweet and a rich mouthfeel, layered blackcurrant fruit and a freshness behind the powerful, dense fruit-driven core. Well put together and a pleasing long finish. (AC)