Our Tasting Note (1/23/25)
Deep ruby red core, ruby edges. Really pretty red hues. The nose is pronounced with black raspberry, black cherry, fig, damson, with garrigue, garden herbs, subtle and spices. The palate is med+ to full bodied, a silky and velvety palate feel, with gently intense fruit and spice, long on the finish. A very balanced, classic profile.
On the pull of the cork this was about half primary and half tertiary, but as it had time to open the primary aspects took over and were more prevalent.  However, this is a big boy at 15.5% abv but wears it well. Outstanding, soulful and rich, this is classic in every sense of the word for a Chateauneuf du Pape.  Aged 14 years, this ended up being more primary and less evolved than I would have expected, which makes me love this more for the high quality that shows and it's ability to get even better with more cellar time.

**** (out of 5 *) JLL
John Livingstone-Learmonth
typical Grenache plum red robe. There is an agreeably sweet coulis-liqueur angle on the red berry fruit aroma, which is a true southern display that invites the drinker. It is evocative of lazy summer days. The palate rolls along on an orb of red berry fruit with a munchy, sustained depth of tannins. The quality and nature of this wine comes from within; there is a lot of spiced flavour on the finish which helps its lift. This is really persistent, and truly goes long. It is a real grass roots wine, STGT, straight from warm lands. Way to go Papal wine. Good til 2028-30

60-85% Grenache (oldest early 1900s), 11-25% Mourvèdre, 0-15% Syrah, 0-10% Cinsault, 0-5% Bourboulenc from the plateaus of Les Brusquières (N-W), Tresquoys (N-W), 70% destemmed, 4 week concrete vat vinification, pumping overs, part vat emptying and refilling and manual cap punching, aged 50% concrete vat, 20% used 228-litre oak casks, 20% used 550-litre oak casks, 10% large barrel, unfined, unfiltered