Vieille Julienne CdP Les Hauts-Lieux 2018 (750ML)

97 JD / 95 VM / 95 DE

#1 Jeb Dunnuck’s Top 100 Wines of 2020

Including slightly more Mourvèdre and from a cooler, higher elevation terroir, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Hauts-Lieux has more cassis, game, peppery herbs, and olive notes, as well as the classic violets and black licorice nuances that always seem to be present in the wines from this estate. Possessing full-bodied richness, an ethereal, seamless texture, ultra-fine tannins, and nicely integrated acidity, it’s a more structured wine compared to the Les Trois Sources and will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and evolve for 15 years or more. It’s every bit as good as the Reserve cuvée in 2018. - Jeb Dunnuck

Brilliant violet. Cherry, blackberry, pungent flowers, allspice and garrigue on the assertively perfumed nose. Sappy and broad on entry, offering appealingly sweet red and dark berry flavors that tighten up and become spicier through the midpalate. There's excellent depth here, but there's energy as well. Closes impressively long and gently chewy, with resonating cherry and floral notes and slowly building tannins that add discreet grip.-Josh Raynolds, Vinous Media

Like Les Trois Sources, this is also powerfully vibrant in fruit if a slightly darker fruit expression. It's a little rounder, with denser but very fine tannins and lovely vibrancy of acidity, this really builds on the palate, stretching long and deep. From three high altitude parcels close to the limestone plateau, some clay, relatively high altitude and late ripening. Biodynamic. - Matt Walls, Decanter