2020 Domaine Tardieu-Laurent Châteauneuf-du-Pape

75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault from the Plateau de Mont Redon, Les Bédines, La Crau, Cabrières and Pignan – all 60 to 80 years old except for the 40-year-old Syrah. Fermented with 50% whole bunches. Aged for 10 months in one- and two-year-old barrels and then 10 months in foudres. To be released before summer 2022. Cask sample. Transparent crimson with a notably pale rim. A little soupy on the nose, without quite the definition of some of the other 2020 Tardieu southern Rhône wines tasted. Though it’s sweet, reasonably lifted, a little meaty and the tannins are present but not too obtrusive. There is heat on the finish though. Well-made but with a slightly fuzzy message. (JR)