2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Deus Ex Machina

The 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus Ex Machina shows pronounced aromas of raspberry and cherry liqueur, strawberry compote, cured meat, dried lavender, cardamon, mint and a ferrous twist of crushed rocks. Full-bodied, broad-shouldered and layered, it is framed by ever-so-velvety tannins and high levels of bright acidity. The complex finish goes on for well over a minute.

A much more powerful wine based on 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Deus-Ex Machina reminds me slightly of the 2011 with its spicy, perfumed, complex bouquet of red and black fruits, dried flowers, pepper, and Provençal herbs, with more gamey, meaty notes emerging with time in the glass. Full-bodied on the palate, it's balanced, has ultra-fine yet building tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. It needs a solid 4-5 years of bottle age and should have 20+ of overall longevity.