2019 Chateauneuf du Pape

The 2019 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus Ex Machina is a towering effort and has the edge over the 2020. It's the opposite of shy, wafting from the glass with expressive aromas of cooked black fruits, raisins, licorice, cloves, garrigue, graphite, roasted meat, tobacco and a splash of mint. Expanding vertically on the palate, it is a multi-dimensional, powerful red, enveloped in velvety tannins and framed by lively acidity. Its finish is extremely long and persistent. Although it is delicious, one glass will do for me as it is almost too much to absorb. (NG)

Moving to the 2019s, this is clearly a gorgeous vintage from this estate, and you can’t go wrong with any of these wines. The base 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape has loads of Provençal garrigue, sandalwood, and red and black fruit aromatics as well as a full-bodied, ripe, seamless style on the palate. Drink it over the coming decade.

Deeper and more concentrated than the 2018, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape is as impressive as I can remember this cuvée ever being. Dark in hue, overflowing with dark fruit, full-bodied and velvety in texture, with a long, licorice-tinged finish, this looks very promising.