2020 Clos Saint-Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes
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A bottling for the American importer (Eric Solomon/European Selections), the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is blended to the same proportions as the main cuvée (75% Grenache, 15% Syrah and the rest a mix of other permitted red varieties), but it includes more old-vine Grenache. It's all destemmed and reached 16% alcohol this vintage, so it's a slightly bigger, richer wine, loaded with black cherries and dried spices. Full-bodied, concentrated and velvety, it's a lush, long-finishing beauty that should drink well for over a decade.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
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The 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes is a treat. This wine is introduced by up-front cooked red and black fruits, licorice and spice box aromas. Layered and full-bodied, it is framed by smooth tannins and closes with a bold finish. This 2020 red has all the ingredients for extended bottle aging.
As usual, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes brings more richness and depth without losing any sense of elegance or balance. Blackberries, ground herbs, chalky minerality and loamy earth flow to a ripe, medium to full-bodied, seamless, incredibly elegant 2020 with tons of character. It will evolve for 10-15 years as well.