Vieille Julienne CdP Les Trois Sources 2018 (1.5L)

95 JD / 94 WS / 93 DE / 92 VM / 17.5 JR

True to form, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Trois Sources is a softer, more elegant wine than the Les Hauts-Lieux and offers a gorgeous perfume of black cherries, black licorice, tapenade, violets, herbes de Provence, and jus de viande. Deep, full-bodied, and beautifully layered, it gains weight with time in the glass and is going to benefit from just short-term cellaring. It doesn’t have the concentration for any long-term cellaring yet my money is on it evolving nicely for a solid 10-12 years. - Jeb Dunnuck

Very well-defined, with anise, black tea and a core of cassis, plum and blackberry puree flavors that spark inner energy while being carried by racy iron, savory and garrigue notes. This is also less forward than most of its colleagues in this vintage. Best from 2024 through 2036. 800 cases made, 200 cases imported. — James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

This is vibrantly fruity full of forest berries and good juice on the palate with quite a firm, slightly hard strictness to the tannins, but it contributes to a sense of drinkability, direction and straightness. An agreeably authentic expression. Biodynamic. Vinified in concrete in a cool cellar (around 18 ̊C) so the fermentation starts slowly. All destemmed apart from just 20% of old vine Grenache.-Matt Walls, Decanter

The 2018 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Trois Sources is showing wonderfully, opening in the glass with dark cherry and plum aromas, strawberry, leather and a dash of white pepper. Full-bodied, concentrated and framed by slightly drying tannins it is well-balanced by refreshing acidity, closing with a savory finish. Due to the presence of mildew, only half the normal amount of production was achieved.-Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous Media

Tank sample. Extraordinary blueberry fruit – really juicy and delicious. Super-floral too, really expressive and opulent. A great triumph in this vintage, one of the purest and most delicious expressions of Grenache, with firmness but mouth-watering juiciness as well. It's a drinkable, upfront style and the complexity will take time to emerge.-Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson