2021 Chateauneuf du Pape Clos du Calvaire

Checking in at 15% alcohol, the 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of 55% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre, 3% Cinsaut and 2% Counoise. Pale ruby-colored, a swirl of the glass reveals aromas of very ripe and predominantly red fruits, black cherry, dried herbs and cloves. Ripe tannins frame the full-body, concluding with a moderately long finish.

The 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Clos Du Calvaire is up-front and charming, with ripe cherry and strawberry fruits, notes of peppery garrigue and spice, medium-bodied richness, and ripe, supple tannins. It's another clearly outstanding, balanced, satisfying wine in the lineup. It doesn't have the structure or tannic grip of the other two releases and is going to drink nicely right out of the gate. Located in the southern part of Châteauneuf du Pape, with some terrific terroirs, Vignobles Mayard produces a bevy of classic, incredibly Provençal, satisfying wines that readers will love. In most vintages, they produce three Châteauneuf du Pape; their younger vine cuvée Clos du Calvaire, a Domaine du Pere Pape, and their old-vine cuvée La Crau de Ma Mere.

Slight garrigue and herbal touch to the pure raspberry fruit. Gentle, but has some enveloping weight and fruit on the palate. Acidity is well balanced, the alcohol gently warming but not unbalanced for the style. Good length too. An appealing, quite classic, well-proportioned Châteauneuf. Grown organically, destemmed, fermented in concrete, aged in foudres.