Château La Nerthe : Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2018

This has a very chiseled feel, with some modern, toasty oak adding spicy and meaty aromas to the attractive lemons and fresh green apples. The palate has very attractive acidity and dialed-in freshness. Grapefruit and grilled lemon flavors here. Toasty-oak finish. Drink or hold.

Saturated ruby. Ripe, smoke- and spice-accented cherry, dark berry, licorice and floral qualities on the highly perfumed nose. Stains the palate with sweet cherry preserve and blackberry flavors that take on baking spice, vanilla and candied lavender accents as the wine stretches out. Shows very good depth as well as energy and finishes long and chewy, with dusty tannins making a late appearance.

On the palate, the wine is round, soft, sweet and fruity with a touch of oak, spice, green olives and red pit fruit. Medium-bodied, forward and already delicious, give it a few years in the cellar and it will be a better wine.

Strong ruby garnet, purple reflections, discreet ochre brightening on the rim. Ripe plum fruit on the nose, a hint of liquorice, tobacco and orange zest. Juicy and elegant, sweet fruit, ripe, well-supporting tannins, fine nougat on the finish with some minerality. Safe ageing potential.

The 2018 Châteauneuf du Pape is a Syrah-heavy blend that’s close to equal parts Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre. It reveals the usual semi-opaque ruby color that’s common in the vintage as well as an already complex, Provençal bouquet of black raspberries, garrigue, spice box, and dried flowers. Medium-bodied, with sweet tannins and a charming, elegant style, this beauty is ideal for enjoying over the coming 10–12 years.

The concentrated, dark-fruited 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape is an impressive effort. Always lower in Grenache than most of the wines in the appellation, it remains generous and rich, offering up scents of ripe plums and black cherries, mocha and spice, plus hints of vanilla and dried spices. It's medium to full-bodied, dense and powerful, while remaining approachable and supple, with a slightly dusty edge of tannic structure evident on the finish.