Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes 2017 (750ML)

94+ JD / 93 WA / 93 WCI / 92-93 VM

As always, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes has a touch more dark fruits, more concentration, and more structure, which makes it less approachable but more age-worthy. Blackcurrants, ground pepper, bouquet garni, crushed rocks, and garrigue notes all emerge from this structured, focused, yet ripe and beautifully textured Châteauneuf Du Pape that's going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age. Jeb Dunnuck

The 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes starts off with scents of tapenade, then adds ripe cherries and cola notes. Dark and concentrated, it's full-bodied and open-knit, perhaps a bit coarser than the elegant 2016, with a touch of chocolate on the long finish. The Grenache in this cuvée was planted in 1905, making this a relative value among old-vine offerings. Joe Czerwinski – The Wine Advocate

Dark cherries, black raspberry, juicy plum and black pepper nuances get you focused on the round, lush, fruity, rich wine. Forward, with the ability to age for at least 12 years or more. There is a slight touch of heat in the finish, but there is so much fruit, it doesn't really stand out that much. This is already starting to show well.-Jeff Leve, Wine Cellar Insider

Lurid magenta. Powerful, spice-tinged cherry and blueberry scents show excellent clarity, and a floral element gains strength as the wine opens up. Juicy and seamless on the palate, offering densely packed yet lively red and blue fruit preserve, spicecake and floral pastille flavors and a hint of smokiness. Shows superb energy on the broad, long finish, which is framed by velvety tannins and sharpened by a late jolt of spiciness.-Josh Raynolds, Vinous Media