Domaine de la Solitude Chateauneuf du Pape Cornelia Costanza 2017 (750ML)

95 VM / 95 WS / 95 WE / 94 JD

Deep shimmering crimson. Expansive, mineral- and spice-accented red berry liqueur, cherry cola and incense scents show outstanding definition and spicy lift. Palate-staining Chambord, cherry-vanilla, spicecake and floral pastille flavors slowly deepen on the back half while maintaining urgency. Manages to come off graceful for its heft and richness, and betrays no rough edges. Finishes smooth, floral and extremely long, with rounded tannins and lingering red fruit liqueur and exotic spice notes. 60% concrete tanks and 40% foudres.—Josh Raynolds, Vinous Media

Spring blossoms, red cherries and raspberry preserves extend from nose to finish in this perfumed Grenache. It's opulent and ripe but also delicate and silken, flooding the palate with bright berry flavors edged by minerality and spice. The finish is long and fleshy, anchored by fine, persistent tannins. Irresistible in its youth, the wine will show its earthier complexities well through 2030. Anna Lee C. Iijima- Wine Enthusiast

This is squarely on the ripe, polished, seductive side of the spectrum, featuring a sleek core of cassis, raspberry and plum notes wrapped in red licorice details. Warm fruitcake and roasted apple wood accents fill in on the finish, with good energy to carry it off. Approachable now for its showy fruit, but there's no rush. Grenache. Drink now through 2036. 150 cases imported. — JM, Wine Spectator

Coming from 100% Grenache brought up in a mix of foudre, barrels, stainless steel, and concrete, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cornelia Constanza offers a killer Grenache bouquet of pure kirsch liqueur and wild strawberries intermixed with notes of dried flowers, loamy earth, pepper, and spice. It's not the biggest, baddest version of this cuvée (which was first made in 2005), but it has a terrific sense of elegance and purity, no hard edges, medium to full body, and a great finish. It will keep for 15-20 years and drink well for all of it.—Jeb Dunnuck