2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Signature

The charming, seductive 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Julien Barrot features attractive herbal nuances of resinous garrigue set against a backdrop of raspberries and blackberries. About 60% Grenache, 19% Mourvèdre, 13% Syrah and 5% Cinsault, with the rest other permitted varieties, it fermented in concrete and aged mainly in foudres, with about one-third in demi-muids. It's full-bodied, supple, creamy and lush on the mid-palate, then fine and silky on the finish. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.

The classic release from this great estate, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Julien Barrot is 60% Grenache, 19% Mourvèdre, and the rest Syrah and other permitted varieties. Black cherries, blackberries, graphite, peppery garrigue, and ample chalky minerality define this beauty, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a wonderful mid-palate, building structure, and outstanding length. It's a great 2019 that needs 2-4 years of bottle age to integrate its structure but will have 10-15+ years of prime drinking. Unfortunately, no 2020s were submitted to my tasting, but as I hope these reviews show, the 2019s from this address are some of the finest out there.