The 2016 Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee is a red wine from the Southern Rhone region of France, produced by Domaine du Pegau. This proprietary blend is made with a cork closure and has an alcohol content of 15.0%. This vintage has garnered significant praise from various wine critics, highlighting its complexity and aging potential.
Jeb Dunnuck awarded this wine an impressive score of 98 points, describing it as "another magical wine from Laurence Feraud that could come from nowhere else." Dunnuck notes its "dark ruby/plum-hued" appearance and a "monster display of Provençal goodness in its garrigue, lavender, violets, kirsch, plums, and Asian spices." He emphasizes the wine's "silky tannins, flawless balance, and a heavenly texture," predicting it will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and drink well for at least 20-25 years (jebdunnuck.com, 4/9/2020).
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, through Joe Czerwinski, gave it a commendable 95+ score. Czerwinski remarks that the wine improves with each tasting, stating, "Black cherries and licorice pick up a hint of chocolate in this full-bodied, rich, velvety wine that should evolve nicely for at least 12-15 years" (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 8/31/2019).
Wine Spectator's J.M. rated the wine at 96 points, highlighting its "singed chestnut accent" and "sappy core of steeped cherry, raspberry, and plum fruit." The tasting note points out the "brawny edge" and "ample fruit," suggesting it should "cruise in the cellar" and be best enjoyed from 2021 through 2040 (Wine Spectator, 5/22/2019).
Wine Enthusiast's Anna Lee C. Iijima granted it 97 points, praising its "inflections of violet and rose petal" and "deeply complex" nature. She describes flavors of "black cherry and black-currant" that are "profoundly ripe but muted by shades of leather, fur, and garrigue," concluding it is a "nuanced, deeply satisfying wine" (Wine Enthusiast, 5/1/2020).
Lastly, Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com rated it 95 points, noting its tightness and less expressiveness compared to previous years but still finding "dried flowers, peppery red plums, black raspberries, and an array of spices" with a "peppery edge" in the finish. He recommends drinking it from 2024-2037 (TheWineCellarInsider.com, 10/6/2022).
Overall, the 2016 Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee is a highly acclaimed wine with excellent aging potential, complex flavors, and a well-balanced profile.