Domaine Santa Duc : Les Saintes Vierges 2019

This has a good, gutsy feel, with juicy and still slightly compact plum, raspberry and blackberry fruit flavors taking the lead, while licorice root, apple wood and dried garrigue hints fill in as well. Shows more oomph than purity, but this is solidly built. Grenache, Mourvèdre and Counoise. Best from 2024 through 2038. 400 cases made, 50 cases imported.

I love all the intensity on the nose, with its fresh spring flowers, roses, spice and kirsch. Elegant, medium-bodied, silky, fresh, refined, and with a beautiful sense of purity to the fruit, everything is working here, making this effortless to drink. This should age and evolve for 15 or more years, yet be quite easy to enjoy early in its life. Drink from 2023 - 2038

Strong crimson garnet, purple reflections, broader ochre rim. Fine herbal spice, a touch of garrigue, ripe cherry fruit, subtle hints of vanilla and nougat, still somewhat restrained. Juicy, ripe blackberries and dark cherries, candied violets, supporting tannins, fine fruit expression, salty finish, full of finesse, drinking very well, lemony touch on the aftertaste.

The 2019 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Saintes Vierges is another beautiful wine. Ripe cherries, blueberries, rose petals, spice, and hints of spring flowers all emerge on the nose, and it shines on the palate for its beautiful elegance and purity. Medium to full-bodied, with ripe, polished tannins and notable freshness, it's going to evolve for 15 years with no issues.