2017 Chateauneuf du Pape

The classic cuvée in bottle, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape is 66% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, and the rest a mix of permitted varieties. This cuvée is brought up in a mix of stainless steel, wooded tanks, foudre, and barrels, with just 5% new oak. Deep ruby purple-colored, with beautiful black cherry and blackberry fruits, it has loads of licorice and garrigue aromas, medium to full body, beautiful concentration, and considerable elegance and purity. I always find a Burgundian style in the wines from this estate and this is no exception. It's a more reserved, tight 2017 that's going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for 15-20 years. It's a beautiful, classic cuvée that has power and elegance. The Coulon family continue to make a pure, balanced, concentrated style of Châteauneuf du Pape that often has a touch of Burgundy in its texture and balance. Nevertheless, the wines are pure Châteauneuf du Pape with their spicy, peppery, Provencal aromas and flavors. Their 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Boisrenard is one of the wines of the vintage and is certainly in the same league as the magical 2016, 2010, 2007, and 2001.

A second consecutive winner from this fine estate, the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape is 66% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 6% Cinsault and 3% of the other permitted varieties. Grilled red plums lead off, fleshed out by other ripe stone fruits. Full-bodied and plush, it's creamy in texture through the mid-palate, then long and silky on the finish, where it picks up hints of Asian five spice powder.