2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Laurence

The 2018 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Laurence is opulent and sensual, bursting with pungent aromas of raspberry jam, ripe blackberry and black cherry, garrigue , white pepper and crushed rocks. Essentially, this is the same wine as the Cuvée Réservée, but instead of maturing it for two years, Laurence Féraud keeps it locked away for four, leading to more concentration, slightly elevated alcohol and a firmer tannic structure. It concludes with a long-lasting finish.

Lastly, and a classic expression of the cuvée, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Laurence is a longer aged version of the classic Châteauneuf du Pape. It offers a wild array of peppery garrigue, herbes de Provence, saddle leather, and spices in a medium to full-bodied, rich, mouth-filling style. It has plenty of chewy tannins, but I suspect it will shine right out of the gate. It’s always a great tasting with Laurence Féraud, and the quality at this address remains sky-high, both with their reds and their whites. I was thrilled to see the 2020s show better this go-round, and this will certainly be a solid vintage.