2021 Chateauneuf du Pape le Grand Pin

None of the Chapelle Saint Théodoric releases have been bottled. The 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Grand Pin (100% Grenache) is medium ruby-hued and offers a complex, nuanced bouquet of mulled red and black fruits, cured meats, spring flowers, and ground pepper. With an almost Northern Rhône-like gamey wildness, I love its complexity, and this medium-bodied, elegant, seamless 2021 has ripe tannins and outstanding length.

From 35-year-old Grenache in Pignan, vinified as whole clusters and then aged 24 months in older demi-muids, this is a floral, ethereal expression of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, marked by scents of roses, lavender, strawberry compote and hints of pine resin. Medium to full-bodied, it's silky-textured, sappy, slightly green-tinged, refreshing and long on the finish.

100% Grenache. Matured in demi-muids for 24 months. Cask sample.  Tasted blind. Eucalyptus, rosemary and crushed red fruits  – a mineral, chalky note beneath as well. Good, fresh acidity and a real floral touch to the mid palate too. Fine-grained tannin and such elegance. This shows grace, beauty and surprising concentration! The finish is long, fine and already very appealing. Wonderful. (AC)