WINEMAKER'S NOTES:
Deep, dark and dense red color. An intense nose of red and black berries and spice. A beautiful composition, with silky tannins, power and elegance. Expressive, noble and complete.
Pair with red meats either grilled or cooked in sauces, game birds, or aged cheeses.
TASTING NOTES:
Bright ruby. Ripe black and blue fruits, potpourri, incense and baking spices on the deeply perfumed, expansive nose. Coats the palate with sweet boysenberry, black raspberry and floral pastille flavors that are sharpened by emerging mineral and cracked pepper flourishes. Shows the depth and power of the vintage but comes off quite lively, delivering strong dark berry thrust on the long, gently tannic finish.
- Vinous, 94 pts.
Ripe and juicy, with engaging blackberry, black currant and black cherry paste flavors, wrapped in brambly grip.
- Wine Spectator, 93 pts.
Out of bottle, the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Grand Vin seems to have closed down a bit. Although still impressive for its concentration and length, it seems a bit chunky, delivering muscular black cherry fruit and hints of cedar, clove and leather. Full-bodied and tannic, it could use another year or two of cellaring and then drink well for a decade.
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 pts.
