2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve Auguste Favier

Bright violet. Ripe red berry, rose oil, Asian spice and incense scents, along with a smoky mineral nuance that builds slowly with air. Sappy, energetic and pure, offering palate-caressing raspberry preserve, cherry pie and floral pastille flavors that show a suave blend of depth and energy. Displays sharp delineation and floral lift on the impressively long, subtly tannic finish, which leaves behind notes of candied red berries and spicecake.

Just about perfection in a glass, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Reserve Auguste Favier reveals a deep purple color as well as extraordinary notes of blackcurrants, blackberries, smoked meats, incense, and dried flowers. Always based on Grenache yet with 10-15% Cinsault, this full-bodied, deep, opulent Châteauneuf Du Pape tastes like the essence of Provence, is incredibly complex, has sweet tannins, and despite all its richness and depth, stays pure, fresh, and light on its feet. It’s one of the finest vintages of this cuvée to date! As I wrote last year, proprietress Isabel Ferrando continues to fashion some of the most profound wines on the planet, and her 2017s and 2018s are not going to change that trend. Looking at the wines, the estate is in the southern portion of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and covers roughly 55 acres, from which she releases five cuvées: two whites and three reds. For the reds, the classic Châteauneuf-du-Pape is always a rough blend of 90% Grenache (from 70-year-old vines) and the balance Syrah and Mourvèdre aged in demi-muids and smaller barrels. The Reserve Auguste Favier comes from 60- to 100-year-old vines and is based largely on Grenache with around 15% Cinsault, aged all in older barrels. This cuvée always shows a seamless, elegant profile. Lastly, and what I would consider her top wine, the Collection Charles Giraud is always a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre, with the Grenache aged in tank and the Mourvèdre in demi-muids. I’ve also included her Châteauneuf-du-Pape Colombis cuvée here, which is released under the Isabel Ferrando label. It’s 100% Grenache from the sandy soils of the Colombis lieu-dit located on the western edge of the appellation.