Deep shimmering red. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes candied red berries, smoky minerals and licorice, and a sexy floral note emerges with air. Sappy, broad and sweet, offering intense black raspberry, cherry and lavender pastille flavors that deepen steadily with air. Shows surprising vivacity for its richness. Finishes spicy, smooth and very long, with rounded tannins adding gentle grip.

Fresh, meadow flowers, lemon blossom and a nicely played, savory thread of pastry and lightly toasted biscuits. The palate has impressive tension and restraint, the acidity and tannins working smoothy and in unison, to deliver length and freshness. Drink or hold.

Moving to the reds, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape (80% Grenache and the rest Syrah, Mourvedre, and Cinsault) has lots of peppery, leather, and darker fruited aromatics to go with a medium-bodied style on the palate. It’s balanced, has present, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. Drink bottles over the coming decade