2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes

Dark violet. Expansive dark berry liqueur, cherry pie, licorice candy and potpourri aromas are complemented by an exotic flourish of Moroccan spices. Broad and fleshy on the palate, offering deeply concentrated black raspberry, boysenberry and bitter cherry flavors, along with sweetening cola and floral pastille nuances. Slowly firms up with air and finishes with outstanding clarity, suave, even tannins and excellent, floral-driven persistence.

The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Vieilles Vignes is another killer effort from this estate. Coming from the La Janasse and La Crau lieux-dits and brought up in foudre, its deep purple color is followed by blockbuster notes of crème de cassis, blackberries, chocolate, graphite, and earthy, rocky, mineral-like nuances. It's deep and full-bodied, with a ripe, powerful yet balanced style and a great finish. A classic example of this cuvée. it's going to benefit from short-term cellaring and keep for two decades or more.

The 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes derives from parcels planted on classic clay and galets roulés soils. It's 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah and 5% other varieties. Tight, intense, even clenched, it's in need of several years' cellaring before it becomes truly enjoyable to drink. For now, those gorgeous black cherries are restrained behind a firm wall of tannins. Full-bodied and rich, this is ripe, it just requires patience.