2019 Domaine de Cristia Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Renaissance

The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Renaissance is a bigger, richer wine based off 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre. Deep ruby/purple-hued, it has rock star purity in its cassis and ripe blackberry fruits as well as spicy oak, roasted meats, toasted spice, and chocolate aromas and flavors. A more elegant, polished wine than usual, it already has some up-front appeal. It's going to integrate its oak élevage with 2-4 years of bottle age and should have 10-15 years of prime drinking thereafter. The purity and texture here are spot on. This was another beautiful lineup from winemaker Baptiste Grangeon, who fashions a bevy of singular Châteauneuf du Pape from the Cristia lieu-dit located in the heart of the appellation and more sandy soils. Their base Châteauneuf du Pape is always worth drinking and has a Provençal yet fruit-forward style. Their Renaissance cuvée, which includes a big chunk of Mourvèdre and sees some new oak, is always slightly more modern styled yet still oozes Provençal charm. It almost always benefits from bottle age. Lastly, the Vieilles Vignes is all Grenache from very old vines and is brought up in tank and used barrels (it saw some new oak in the past). This is a Grenache lover’s dream and is unabashedly ripe, sexy, and exuberant. I’m just now finishing a case of the 2005, which is still going strong, so it has the capacity to evolve for a solid 15-20 years.

60% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre. Certified organic. Aged for 18 months in demi-muid (67%) and new barriques (33%). Cask sample. Tasted blind. Some smoked bacon and reductive notes with a dense fruit core. The oak is full throttle and weighty in style, but I like the fruit clarity behind it. Well managed and while a big bruising style it shows just enough freshness. (AC)