2023, Domaine Paul Avril, CLOS DES PAPES, RougeThe 2023 Chteauneuf du Pape is totally sexy. Ripe black fruits, cassis pastilles, liquorice, garrigue and herbal elements are all pushed forward. Framed by smooth tannins, the full bodied 2023 jumps at you right away. It mesmerises with gorgeous purity of fruit, lifting freshness and ample resilience on the focused finale. I cant wait to taste it from bottle. 94 96 By Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous. Deeply coloured and quite dark in character, with damson

You feel the tannins weighing heavier through the mid palate

A wine of mineral persistence – great persistence

raspberry and just a touch of brown spice and pressed violet

bitter grapefruit and lemon peel

ripe enough fruit but perfectly poised

This is rather more robust in structure yet with a generous juicy fruit as well

plus a touch of crushed rocks

Upscore potential in bottle

Last year EP $124

91 Stephen Tanzer

Fresh mid purple

The focused nose offers fine mineralité and tension