2020 Marcoux CdP Vieilles Vignes
97-99 WA / 97 VM / 97 DE / 97 JD
$158.89/bottle (In Stock) Buy Now
Still in foudre working through the last few grams of sugar when I tasted it in July 2022, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes showcases bold black-cherry fruit that virtually knocked this taster's head backwards. It's full-bodied on the palate, building in intensity and complexity on the lengthy finish, where notes of raspberries, star anise and garrigue merge seamlessly into the wine's supple, velvety texture. - JC, Wine Advocate
A towering effort, the 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes soars from the glass with pristine crème de cassis, raspberry jam, black plum, scorched earth, incense, mint, exotic spice and white pepper aromas. The precision of the individual perfumes has a laser-like quality rarely seen in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Full-bodied and framed by ever-so-velvety tannins, it reaches a spherical dimension in the mouth. The recent adoption of 3,000-liter Austrian oak barrels beautifully contributed to the shape of this wine, giving it terrific poise and tension. - Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous Media
Impressive depth of colour for the vintage, this is extremely round, fresh, clear and well-defined. Tannins are present and fairly strict in style, but they're ripe, and all in all this is exceptionally promising. Not huge in fruit or body, but well-balanced and precise. from 120-year-old vines planted on north-facing clay and sand lieux-dits of Charbonnières and Esquières. Fermented in concrete, aged in foudre.—Matt Walls, Decanter
One of the world’s greatest expressions of Grenache year-in and year-out, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is all varietal that was brought up in larger foudre. This cuvée comes from the Charbonnieres and Les Esqueirons lieux-dits, which are mostly more sandy soils. Its deeper purple color is followed by a concentrated, medium to full-bodied, powerful yet elegant Grenache offering ripe cherry and darker berry fruits, notes of ground pepper, garrigue, and licorice, ripe yet certainly present tannins, and a great finish. Reminding me slightly of the 2006, which is drinking brilliantly today, it’s going to offer incredible pleasure over its lengthy life. Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following two decades.—Jeb Dunnuck
Other Newly-Scored Wines by The Wine Advocate:
2020 Domaine de Pegau Cuvee Capo
$334.99/bottle (ETA 90 Days) Buy Now
98 JS / 97+ WA / 97 VM
The 2020 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée da Capo is a massively concentrated effort that should ultimately rival the great 2016. The blackberries and blueberries are so vibrant and intense that the wine almost seems sweet, packed with ripe fruit, with hints of mocha and garrigue for savory complexity. Full-bodied, rich and velvety in texture, it finishes with tremendous length and presence. - Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
2019 Domaine de Pegau Cuvee Reservee
$59.89/bottle (In Stock) Buy Now
96 WA / 95 JS / 95 VM
As I wrote previously, the 2019 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Réservée looks set to rival the best examples of this bottling. Made up of approximately 80% Grenache, with 6% Syrah, 4% Mourvèdre and smaller amounts of other permitted varieties, it's impressively complex on the nose, with scents of black cherries, blackberries and black olives, plus mysterious wafts of violets and garrigue. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, it finishes long and velvety, a sure-fire bet for cellaring. It's gratifying to see wines evolve as expected during their élevage and make it into bottle just as remembered. - Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
2020 Clos Saint Jean Sanctus Sanctorum
(Produced only in Magnum)
$499.89/magnum (In Stock) Buy Now
98 JD / 96 WA
There are two new demi-muids of the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Sanctus Sanctorum, pure Grenache grown on red clay soils, the only Grenache in the cellar that goes into wood for aging. Cedar and menthol notes accent black cherries, blackberries and raspberries. The fruit is kaleidoscopic, the wood luscious and the wine full-bodied, lush and velvety and long on the finish. -- Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
