Fontaines Des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape 750ml

A classic, solid, Chateauneuf-du-Pape from parcels in the north of this prestigious appellation.  Good fruit concentration and weight with an open quality. Complex notes of plums and black cherries with a hint of cocoa and cloves.

The grapes are de-stemmed and macerated in temperature-controlled vats for around 30 days with two rack-and-return operations at the start of fermentation. This is followed by two pumping-over operations per day. Ageing lasts for 12 months: 50% of the wine aged in vat, 50% in 450L barrels used for 1 or 2 previous vintages. Vat and barrel-aged elements are then blended before bottling.

97-99pts Wine Advocate- The 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape is a richly concentrated effort, dark-fruited and loaded with black cherries and blackberries, yet it’s not without nuance, as it includes hints of asphalt, truffle and dried spices. Full-bodied (15.4% alcohol), deep and velvety, with a long, softly dusty finish, it looks to be a real beauty, capable of aging up to two decades.

90pts Decanter- A touch less Mourvèdre this year, but not enough to change the profile of the wine, which is fairly classic albeit pretty bombastic in 2022. Raspberry and black cherry, ripe and exuberant. Full but not massive, the alcohol is present, slightly warming the finish. Tannins are a little grainy, so I would give this time to settle before broaching. Succulent and juicy, with a touch of liquorice. Vincent Avril believes the wine could close down quite early on. So drink young, or (even better) wait until 2030. All destemmed, aged in old foudres. Drinking window: 2030-2042.

90pts James Suckling– A silky, textural and harmonious red with notes of dark cherries, fresh blackberries, dried thyme, currants and some mild spices. It’s medium-bodied with finely grained tannins. Elegant and graceful, silky and bright. Fresh center palate with plenty of vitality and a caressing texture. Precise and harmonious with a pure expression of fruit at the center and a vibrant, spicy finish. Drink or hold.