Xavier Vignon : Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2020

The ample nose of dried cherry, candied orange and fresh rosemary leads you into this rich, yet fresh Chateauneuf with fine tannins and enough acidity to keep it clean. Lively and moderately dry finish. A cuvée of 75% grenache, 10% syrah, 10% mourvedre and 5% clairette. Drink or hold.

Medium deep garnet colour. Pure and generous nose displaying macerated cherry, red berries, garrigue, white pepper and tobacco notes. The palate shows good density and structure, yet grainy and polished with supple red fruit flavours, good warmth and a long spicy finish.

The Grenache-dominated 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape sports a medium ruby/purple hue as well as a pretty nose of red and blue fruits, spring flowers, and subtle bloody, iron-like nuances. Medium to full-bodied, with juicy acidity and good overall balance, it’s going to benefit from a year or three of bottle age and keep through 2032.