2022 Domaine de Cristia Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes

Coming from 100% destemmed Grenache and the sandy soils of the Cristia lieu-dit, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is the clear winner in the lineup and a gorgeous wine that readers will love. Awesome notes of roasted garrigue, licorice, Provençal spice, and assorted red and black fruits all define the aromatics, and it's a deep, layered, full-bodied beauty revealing velvety tannins and a blockbuster finish. As with most 2022s, it’s already drinking brilliantly yet should evolve gracefully over the coming decade. There are 500 cases produced.

Crafted from old vines of Grenache Noir planted on sandy soils (Cristia's south and north lieux-dits), the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes from Domaine de Cristia exhales a more solar bouquet in comparison with the other cuvées, opening in the glass with notes of dark olive, tapenade, dry thyme, chocolate and baked dark berries. Sweet and medium to full-bodied with a broad attack, it's layered and textured with an enrobing structure and polished tannins. The sweetest of the lineup, it finishes long and perfumed with delicate notes of lavender and licorice. Matured for 18 months in large barrels (33%), new barrels (34%) and the rest in used barrels, this is a great success at this address.

100% Grenache. Aged for 18 months in demi-muids (33%) and new (34%) and old (33%) oak barrels. Cask sample. Tasted blind. A heady nose, with bacon fat, meat and red fruits. A sweet attack with leather, balsamic and gravel. Very firm tannins and a sweet cola note on the rich mid palate. Oak is pretty forward here and needs to integrate. (AC)