2019 Chateauneuf du Pape

One smoking good bottle of wine, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape is 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and the rest Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Counoise that was brought up mostly in concrete tanks. It’s as drinkable and delicious as they come, offering lots of red and black fruits, dried garrigue, and spice aromatics, medium to full-bodied richness, silky tannins, and wonderful balance. It’s Provence in a bottle. Drink it over the coming 10-15 years. One of the oldest estates in Châteauneuf du Pape and run by the Lançon family, Domaine de la Solitude covers over 80 acres of prime real estate in the la Solitude lieu-dit, which borders the famed La Crau lieu-dit and is in the center of the appellation. The wines today are made by the talented Florent Lançon, and they produce up to five reds and three white Châteauneuf du Papes in any vintage. The estate doesn’t like to submit barrel samples, so I wasn’t able to look at any of the 2020s, but unquestionably, 2019 is a great vintage at this address.

Deep ruby-red. Expressive red berry and cherry aromas are complemented by building spice and licorice accents. Gently sweet and broad in the mouth, offering lively black raspberry, cherry liqueur and baking spice flavors that show no rough edges. Closes supple and long, with repeating floral and spice notes and gentle tannins that lend shape and final grip.