Mont Redon Chateauneuf du Pape 2022

A well-composed, structured and refined Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The nose reveals notes of dark cherries, cassis, dried thyme, black pepper and a touch of violets. It's full-bodied with fine, firm tannins. The frame of tannins shape up the palate, with dark berries at the core. Plenty of spices and grilled herb character on the palate bring vibrancy and drive. Robust and focused, and the funneled finish has length. Try after 2028.  (96) JAMES SUCKLING

The 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape is brought up in used Burgundy barrels and stainless steel and is 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre, and the rest a mix of permitted varieties. Black raspberries, subtle cassis, graphite, pepper, and beautifully integrated oak define this classy beauty, and it's medium to full-bodied and concentrated, with building, ripe tannins and a great finish. This is a gorgeous wine in the making, but it will probably take 7-8 years to hit maturity. This could be up there with the legendary Mont-Redons. Tasted twice with consistent results. (93-95+) JEB DUNNUCK

60 % Grenache Noir, 30 % Syrah, 8 % Mourvèdre & 2 % Cinsault, Counoise, Muscardin & Vaccarèse. Hand harvested and 100 % destemmed before fermentation over 15 to 20 days, with extraction via plunging the cap as required. Following the malolactic, a rigorous selection is performed and batches that do not meet the Estate’s quality criteria are sold in bulk. The selected batches are matured for 12 months in approximately 50 % barrels and 50 % stainless steel tanks. At this point another selection is made and any lesser batches are again sold in bulk. The final blend is then assembled in tank and matured for a further 6 months before bottling, then a further 4 to 6 months in bottle before it is available for shipping.