Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes 2020 (750ML)

95 WS / 93 JD / 92 WA / 92 VM

#12 Wine Spectator Top 100 2023

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.—James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

As usual, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes brings more richness and depth without losing any sense of elegance or balance. Blackberries, ground herbs, chalky minerality and loamy earth flow to a ripe, medium to full-bodied, seamless, incredibly elegant 2020 with tons of character. It will evolve for 10-15 years as well.-Jeb Dunnuck

A bottling for the American importer (Eric Solomon/European Selections), the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is blended to the same proportions as the main cuvée (75% Grenache, 15% Syrah and the rest a mix of other permitted red varieties), but it includes more old-vine Grenache. It's all destemmed and reached 16% alcohol this vintage, so it's a slightly bigger, richer wine, loaded with black cherries and dried spices. Full-bodied, concentrated and velvety, it's a lush, long-finishing beauty that should drink well for over a decade.-Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate

The 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes is a treat. This wine is introduced by up-front cooked red and black fruits, licorice and spice box aromas. Layered and full-bodied, it is framed by smooth tannins and closes with a bold finish. This 2020 red has all the ingredients for extended bottle aging.-Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous Media