2020 Clos St. Jean Vieilles Vignes Châteauneuf-du-Pape

WS95 Leads with warm ganache and fig bread notes, followed quickly by raspberry reduction accents that take some time to unwind. Showcases plum pâte de fruit, sanguine and black licorice notes, with a flicker of Turkish coffee underscoring the finish and giving this a decidedly dark profile in the end. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Vaccarèse and Muscardin. Best from 2024 through 2038. 900 cases made, 670 cases imported.

JD92-94 The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is cut from the same cloth as the base cuvée yet brings more mid-palate depth and richness. It’s a classic 2020, with elegance, freshness, and purity as well as loads of Provençal charm. It should drink nicely right out of the gate yet also evolve for 10-15 years.