2023 Chateauneuf Du Pape La Part des Anges

Black raspberries, minty garrigue, pepper, and leather define the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Part Des Anges, and it's medium-bodied, focused, and nicely structured with ripe, polished tannins. Based on 70% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache, and 10% Syrah from the galets roulés soils of les Terres Blanches, it was completely destemmed and aged 15 months in 80% demi-muids and 20% concrete. It's a touch narrow and focused, especially in the vintage, yet I like its concentration and length, and it's clearly a beautiful wine that benefits from air if drinking any time soon. There are roughly 600 cases produced, and it's best to give it 2-4 years and drink over the following decade. Drink 2027-2037. Run by Stéphane Usseglio, this estate has gone from strength to strength over the past decade and is now making world-class wines. They recently completed a new state-of-the-art cellar on the northern edge of the village and farm around 45 acres, mostly in the center and northern part of the appellation. The range includes the traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the Girard (a tweaked version for importer Peter Wyngandt), the Mourvèdre-dominated La Part des Anges from les Terres Blanches, and the Cuvée Impériale, the flagship based on 95% Grenache from sandy soils of Farguerol and le Pied Long. They also make two stunning single varietal whites from the sandy soils of Bois Sénéchaux, a Pure Clairette and a Pure Roussanne. The 2023s and 2024s are sensational across the board.