2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Reine Bois

The flagship is the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Reine Des Bois and it’s 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah, and the rest a mix of permitted varieties. Aged 20% in old barrels (this was raised in new barrels in the past) and the rest in stainless steel, it’s more backward and closed compared to the Voyageuse release and has ample blackcurrants, smoked earth, graphite, and peppery garrigue aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, balanced, and textured on the palate, it has solid underlying structure yet still plays in the balanced, charming, elegant style of the vintage. It’s beautifully done and certainly up with the top wines. It should drink nicely for 10-15 years.

A blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre and 5% each Syrah and Vaccarese, the certified-organic 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape La Reine des Bois is surprisingly muscular, with concentrated black cherries, purple raspberries and plums backed by sturdy ribbons of silky tannin. Hints of mocha, roasted meat, and black olives provide a savory counterpoint to the abundant fruit, and the rich finish verges on chocolaty, with the textural suggestion of cocoa powder.

80% Grenache, 5% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Vaccarèse. Aged for 10 months in concrete and old oak. Tank sample. Tasted blind. Beautifully peppery and lithe on the nose and palate, with immediate complexity giving garrigue herb, spice, meat and chocolate. This is absolutely on song at the moment, showing the full spectrum of flavour that Châteauneuf can achieve. (RH)