Wine Reviews

Plum reduction and cherry preserves are ripe and decadent in this red, backed up by slightly chewy tannins that give this good grip. Shows attractive concentration, but good energy too, with crushed iron laying a solid groundwork, while singed alder, dried flowers and toasted aniseed detail the long finish.

This wine’s 25% new oak (the balance is matured in a mix of older barrels and foudres) has given the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee des Cadettes a pronounced floral, spicy character that’s a bit odd for Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but it’s pleasant when combined with the dark, cassis-like fruit. With its round, plump mouthfeel and ample weight on the palate, this is rather supple and charming for a cuvée that historically has demanded aging.

An expressive Châteauneuf-du-Pape that showcases ripe red fruits, cedar, wood smoke, rose petal and a pinch of garrigue. Structured with ripe tannins and markedly concentrated, the full-throttle 2023 rounds out with persistence through the savory close

A focused, dense and well-composed blend of 40% grenache, 40% mourvedre and 20% syrah. Aromas of red berries, spiced cherries, dried herbs, tobacco and burnt leaves. It’s full-bodied with plush tannins. It’s polished and plain, with a dense core of juicy berries mingling with the spices. Well structured with a long, well-driven finish. From organically grown grapes

The 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée des Cadettes (40% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre, and 20% Syrah aged in 25% new barrels) is cut from the same cloth yet shows a slightly more modern style in its black raspberry, wild strawberry, spicy wood, peppery garrigue, and floral aromatics and flavors. It’s medium-bodied, nicely balanced, has building yet ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish. It handles its oak beautifully, and this will have two decades of overall longevity.