Saint Prefert Chateauneuf-du-Pape Auguste Favier Reserve 2015 (750ML)

97 WS / 95 JD / 94 WA / 93-95 VM

Vibrant and captivating, with exuberant fruitcake, cinnamon and black tea aromas leading the way for a fleshy core of raspberry pâte de fruit, plum sauce and cassis, all allied to a lovely velvety texture. Maintains intensity through the finish, showing a long echo of pastis. Best from 2020 through 2040. 1,300 cases made. James Molesworth – The Wine Spectator

The 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve Auguste Favier is a blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Cinsault and was partially destemmed and brought up mostly in concrete tanks (15% was in demi-muids). Its ruby color is followed by a killer bouquet of raspberries, mulberries, orange blossom, spice and exotic flowers. Complex, nuanced and fresh, with full-bodied aromas and flavors, sweet tannin, integrated acidity and a great finish. It's the spitting image of elegance and purity paired with richness and depth. Jeb Dunnuck

The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve Auguste Favier is a blend of 85% Grenache with 15% Cinsault. It pushes the ripeness up a notch from the traditional cuvée toward blackberry, plum and chocolate but remains lively. It, too, is full-bodied and supple, with a creamy texture and a long finish. Joe Czerwinski – The Wine Advocate

Full ruby. Powerful, mineral-accented blackberry and boysenberry aromas are complemented by hints of incense, licorice and pungent flowers. Seamless and impressively concentrated, offering alluringly sweet dark berry, cherry liqueur and floral pastille flavors sharpened by a jolt of peppery spices. Rich yet energetic in style, finishing with excellent clarity and fine-grained tannins that sneak in late. - Josh Raynolds, Vinous Media