Very alluring, with linzer torte and plum cake notes pumping through, flecked liberally with anise and mesquite accents along the way. A nice red licorice strip adds contrast on the finish, with its sappy edge, while a...

Saturated ruby. Assertively perfumed, mineral-tinged red berry, cherry, lavender and incense scents show outstanding clarity and spicy lift. Concentrated yet lively black raspberry, cherry-cola, succulent herb and floral...

A much more powerful wine based on 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Deus-Ex Machina reminds me slightly of the 2011 with its spicy, perfumed, complex bouquet of red and black fruits, dried...

(VN 92-94 points) Shimmering ruby. Expressive, spice-accented red and dark berry aromas are complemented by suggestions of olive, espresso and candied flowers. Juicy and energetic on the palate, offering gently sweet...

(95 - 97 points) Still in concrete at the time of my visit, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Grenaches de Pierre looks to be another prodigious effort. Gorgeous aromas of stone fruit and ripe cherries mingle easily with...

In contrast to the bigger, richer Deus-Ex Machina, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Combe Des Fous is all about finesse and elegance, probably due to the inclusion of Cinsault and Vaccarese in the blend. Deeper...

(VN 94-96 points) Inky violet. A wild, smoke- and spice-accented bouquet evokes kirsch, cassis, smoked meat, olive and succulent herbs, with mineral and floral notes emerging as the wine opens up. Firm, sharply etched...

(VN 96-98 points) Glass-staining purple. Assertively perfumed cassis, cherry liqueur, fruitcake and floral aromas take on espresso, olive and smoky bacon accents with aeration. Juicy, chewy and energetic on the palate...

The 2020 Ermitage Le Pavillon is pure gold, and Hermitage doesn't get any better. Incredible aromatics of cassis, graphite, burning embers, and crushed stone all emerge from this beauty. Stunningly proportioned and...

Saturated ruby. Assertively perfumed, mineral-tinged red berry, cherry, lavender and incense scents show outstanding clarity and spicy lift. Concentrated yet lively black raspberry, cherry-cola, succulent herb and floral...

If you ever wondered why Hermitage had such a special reputation then you need to taste this towering masterpiece of this appellation. Spectacular mountain freshness as well as enormous concentration and underplayed...

(94+ points) The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape is terrific, offering classic darker berry fruits as well as peppery garrigue and sappy flower notes. As with the Boisrenard release, this has plenty of tannins and structure, but...

More framboise, strawberries, dried herbs, and savory, loamy earth-like notes emerge from the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Croix De Bois, another 100% Grenache release from Chapoutier that's brought up all in concrete tanks...

(VN 96-98 points) Glass-staining ruby color. Vibrant, mineral-accented black and blue fruits, olive, exotic spices and a potent violet note on the intensely perfumed nose. Palate-staining blackberry, bitter cherry...

The 2020 Saint Joseph Les Granits brings another level of richness and depth, with a darker, almost cooler edge to its black fruits, scorched earth, and graphite, with an Hermitage-like leather note. Full-bodied on the...

(98+ points) One of the gems in the vintage is the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Barbe Rac, a 100% Grenache that was destemmed and brought up all in concrete tanks. Darker berries, ground pepper, graphite, and savory garrigue...

Lastly, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Sanctus Sanctorum is always all Grenache from a single parcel of very old vines in the La Crau lieu-dit. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a touch of whole cluster here, but in...

(VN 96-98 points) Opaque magenta. Displays an array of fresh red and dark fruit, floral and spice qualities on the intensely perfumed nose, along with building mineral and succulent herb notes. Vibrant and silky in...

98+ It's always fun to taste the Les Granits next to the Le Clos, as the wines are dramatically different. The 2020 Saint Joseph Le Clos comes from a higher elevation, more east-facing site, and the alcohol is always a...

Still very young, this great Cote-Rotie has an incredibly dense nose of forest berry fruits, licorice, smoke and pepper. Stunning concentration and enormous structure, but everything fits together beautifully. Enormously...

(94+ points) Also terrific, the 2020 Saint Joseph La Cotte Sud has a riper, spicier style in its red and black fruits, scorched earth, violets, and spicy, incense, and meaty nuances. It's another powerful, concentrated...

he intense wild-blackberry and damson-plum aromas are married to an expansive palate, but the well-integrated tannins and lively acidity keep this bright and clean. Lots of licorice and wild-herb character at the long...

(VN 93-95 points) Full, bright-rimmed violet. Highly fragrant cherry and black raspberry scents, along with suggestions of pipe tobacco, olive, peony and baking spices. Juicy and energetic in the mouth, offering...

(VN 93-95 points) Full, bright-rimmed violet. Highly fragrant cherry and black raspberry scents, along with suggestions of pipe tobacco, olive, peony and baking spices. Juicy and energetic in the mouth, offering...

(VN 96-98 points) Glass-staining purple. Assertively perfumed cassis, cherry liqueur, fruitcake and floral aromas take on espresso, olive and smoky bacon accents with aeration. Juicy, chewy and energetic on the palate...

(94 - 96 points) Still maturing in concrete at the time of my visit, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Gallimardes comes from the lieu-dit of the same name, located south of the village. It's a classic galets...

In contrast, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Petits Pieds D'Armand comes all from a sandy section of the La Crau lieu-dit, and it’s a touch more elegant and finesse-driven, yet also brings more sweet fruit. Classic...

Readers looking for a classic, incredibly satisfying wine that should keep for a decade should jump on the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape from Olivier Hillaire. Mostly Grenache with 10% Syrah, it has textbook notes of ripe...

A fruity nose with notes of strawberries, raspberries, cured meat, bark and peppercorns. It’s full-bodied with creamy tannins. Well-balanced and structured. Layered with freshness and vivacity on the mid-palate and a...

Burning embers, graphite, violets, and mostly blue fruits dominate the 2020 Saint Joseph Les Royes, an Hermitage-like Saint Joseph that has medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless, elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and...