2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Piedlong

From largely sandy soils, and composed of 90% Grenache (the other 10% is Mourvèdre from the Pignan lieu-dit, also sandy), the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Piedlong delivers scents of black cherries and ripe plums, tinged with hints of menthol and green stemminess. Give it a couple of years in the cellar, and it should be singing, as it's full-bodied, rich and velvety, while remaining long, vibrant and mouthwatering on the finish.

Bottled in July, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Piedlong offers more pure Grenache character in its perfumed red fruits, wild strawberries, flowers, and loamy earth-like aromas and flavors. It's elegant, medium to full-bodied, and balanced. It doesn't have the complexity of the top wine here, but it’s just a beautiful, elegant wine.

Bright ruby. Ripe red and blue fruits, potpourri garrigue and baking spices on the expansive nose. Appealingly sweet cherry, boysenberry, black raspberry and floral pastille flavors show a hint of white pepper that adds spicy lift. Well concentrated but comes off lively thanks to a core of juicy acidity. Shows strong floral punch on the long, gently tannic finish, which leaves a hint of cherry cola behind.