Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Deep garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is earthy with some "merde" notes along with cherries and black cherries.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black cherries with some earthiness.  A bit drying on the finish.  Great energy and balance.  This is about at peak but should offer up five to ten more years of top drinking.  This is great on its own, but better with food.  This would be great with cassoulet or a vegetarian bean based cassoulet.  

From Magnum.  Deep garnet in color, partially opaque and bright.  The nose is clean and very nice with black cherries, black raspberries, black pepper, black olives and roasted herbs.  Medium to full bodied.  Great energy and balance.  On the palate, this is not yet at peak (maybe it is for a 750ml) but close.  Light tannins.  Great black cherry fruit with some black olive and black pepper.  Long finish.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  It would work well with a Beef Stew.  Drink over the next five to eight  years.  

This is their basic CdP.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, slight roasted herbs, slight black olives and black pepper.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, black cherries and cherries with some black pepper and slight char.  Good finish. This seems to be at peak but should drink at the level for another five years.  Better with food.  This would work well with roasted squash.  

This is a blend of 45% Syrah, 45% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre.  Purple in color with ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is earthy with black cherries, black raspberries, spices, dried lavender and a bit of roasted herbs.  Medium bodied.  Nice texture.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is drinking well.  Flavors of black cherries, black raspberries, black pepper and spice.  Long finish.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  It worked nicely with Lasagna.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  

This is 80% grenache with 10% Syrah and 10% Cinsault.  It is a more traditionally styled CdP.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright with some purple swirls.  The nose has black cherries, cherries, black raspberries, slight floral notes, and spice.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this has flavors of black cherries, black raspberries, slight earthiness and spice.  This seems about fully mature but should drink well for another five to eight years.  Better with food, this worked well with assorted pizzas.  

This is consistently a great value in CdP and the 2019 is no exception. A blend of 80% Grenache, 17% Syrah and 3% Mourvedre, this is a refreshing and food wine.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has raspberries and cherries with a slight earthiness.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, there is some depth here.  Bright red fruit flavors.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This is nice on its own and better with food.  A great choice for Pizza night.  Drink over the next five years.