2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Les Sinards

Moving to the Châteauneuf Du Pape releases, the entry-level 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Sinards offers a medium to full-bodied, elegant, fruit-forward style that carries plenty of garrigue, dried earth, and charcuterie notes. It’s a total charmer to enjoy over the coming 6-8 years. In addition to the Château de Beaucastel releases, the Perrin family also releases a bevy of brilliant wines under their Famille Perrin label. Certainly, the Gigondas releases are the standouts, yet readers shouldn’t miss their Vinsobres releases; the flagship Les Hauts De Julien possibly one of the finest Syrahs dominated blend made in the southern Rhône!

Slated to be bottled a week or so after my visit, the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape les Sinards is pretty and floral, with those rose and violet nuances backed by red raspberries. Full-bodied yet silky and almost delicate in feel, it adds a charming dusting of cinnamon on the finish.

Buttery and nutty like Chardonnay, but the fruit profile is riper and the acid is appropriately soft. Seems just a bit phenolic and oxidative on the finish. Their Vacqueyras is more convincing. There is a long finish though. I suspect this has more to come. (RH)