2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Sanctus Sanctorum
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Tasting notes
Deep shimmering crimson. Powerful, expansive red berry liqueur, floral pastille, garrigue and Asian spice qualities on the hugely perfumed nose, along with building suggestions of incense and smoky minerals. Sweet and seamless on the palate, offering intense Chambord, cherry pie, spicecake and lavender pastille flavors that deepen and expand steadily through the back half. Clings with superb tenacity on the gently tannic, mineral-tinged finish, which eventually leaves suave floral and exotic spice notes behind. Produced exclusively in magnums.
Critic scores
Average Score
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
Josh Raynolds, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Bottled only in magnum, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Sanctus Sanctorum, made entirely from Grenache planted in 1905, was aged in new demi-muids, yet it has completely absorbed any trace of barrel. Incredibly intense and dramatic, it combines savory notes of licorice and dark roses with black cherries and dried spices. Full-bodied, rich and velvety, with a mind-bendingly long finish, it's a tour de force that may prove to be perfection for some readers.
One of the greatest young wines I’ve ever tasted is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Sanctus Sanctorum which is 100% old vine Grenache sourced from a single parcel in the La Crau lieu-dit. Lighter in color than both the Combes des Fous and Ex Machina, it offers a heavenly perfume of kirsch liqueur, crushed rocks, exotic spices, and graphite. This beauty hits the palate with an incredible display of opulent, decent fruit paired with an elegance and seamlessness that needs to be tasted to be believed. With building richness, no weight, ultra-fine tannins, and a finish that won’t quit, it’s released only in magnum, so it will take upward of a decade to hit maturity and will keep for 20+ years. Hats off to the Maurel family and their consultant Philippe Cambie!
(raised in a single, new demi-muid) Brilliant ruby-red. A hugely aromatic, expansive bouquet displays an array of red fruit, floral and exotic spice aromas, and subtle vanilla, garrigue and mineral notes build steadily as the wine stretches out. Utterly stains the palate with sweet, mineral-laced Chambord, lavender pastille, spicecake and mocha flavors that show unlikely vivacity. The combination of richness and finesse here is quite something. Finishes extremely long and sweet, with resonating florality and smooth tannins making a cameo appearance.