2020 Domaine Santa Duc Châteauneuf-du-Pape Le Pied de Baud

The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Pied De Baud offers more red fruits and rose petal/floral aromatics yet has a similar elegant, medium-bodied, vibrant style on the palate. Based on 80% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre and Cinsault, partially destemmed and brought up in foudre, this seamless, beautifully balanced 2020 can be enjoyed any time over the coming 10-15 years. While located in Gigondas, Domaine Santa Duc, now under the helm of Benjamin Gras, releases a bevy of outstanding Châteauneuf du Pape that are based on different terroirs in the appellation. The wines see a touch of whole cluster fermentation and the aging is primarily in foudre, with some of the wines seeing clay jars aging as well. These show vibrant, fresh, almost crunchy profiles that I suspect will benefit from a handful of years in the cellar.