2021 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Quartz

The 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Quartz is 80% Grenache and the rest mostly Syrah, with the Grenache brought up in demi-muid and the Syrah in barriques. Its deeper ruby hue is followed by a beautiful 2021 offering darker cherry and black raspberry fruit as well as notes of black olive, flowers, and peppery garrigue. This beauty is medium-bodied, has a supple, elegant mouthfeel, quality tannins, and a great finish. It's not going to compete with the top vintages at this great estate, but it's a beautiful, layered, elegant wine that will put a smile on your face over the coming 10-12 years. The Vacheron Family, along with winemaker Bruno Gaspard, make some of the region’s finest wines. Located on the border of Châteauneuf du Pape, in the Courthezon region of the appellation, the estate covers 25 hectares, and they release a bevy of brilliant Châteauneuf du Pape as well as Côtes du Rhônes. While I thought the 2020s were slightly challenging here, it looks like the 2021s are rock-solid and as good as anything in the vintage, while the 2022s look to be a return to richer, more concentrated, powerful wines that hold onto a beautiful sense of balance and purity.

Perhaps a bit less expansive than some other vintages, the 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Quartz is still a terrific effort. Scents of crushed stone and crystalized red berries appear on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is more linear and crisp. Some readers may even prefer this style of vintage for its focus and restraint.

Checking in at 14.5% alcohol, the 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Quartz is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. It displays a fragrant perfume of redcurrant, cranberry, raspberry, dried herbs, white pepper and a dazzling floral element of rose petals. On the palate, it is full-bodied, concentrated and tightly structured with a muscular profile framed by ripe tannins. Perfectly balanced by lively acids, there's excellent persistence on the long finish.