2018 Chateauneuf du Pape

Moving to the wines in bottle and based on 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and the rest a mix of Mourvèdre and other permitted varieties, the 2018 Châteauneuf du Pape is a beautifully Provençal, medium to full-bodied, elegant beauty with loads of charm in its ripe strawberry, blueberry, Asian spice, cedarwood, and violet-like aromas and flavors. It displays the charming, upfront, ready-to-go style of the vintage, yet has solid mid-palate depth as well as length on the finish. Enjoy bottles any time over the coming 10-12 years.

The tank-aged (a mix of stainless steel and concrete) 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape is a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 7% Mourvèdre and 3% Cinsault. Boasting notes of tart red berries, it's crisper and a touch less ripe-tasting than many other 2018s and very different in style from the dark-fruited 2017, yet weighs in at 15% alcohol on the label. Medium to full-bodied, raspberries and cherries roll across the silky-textured palate, picking up some slightly herbal, garrigue-like shadings on the gently dusty finish.

34% Grenache Blanc, 33% Clairette Rose, 33% Roussanne. Aged for six months in stainless steel. Tasted blind. Slight grassy touch gives a welcome contrast to the ripe, tropical fruit. Soft acidity, full body, good fruit persistence with tangerine and grapefruit character. (RH)