(96+ points) Similar to Beaucastel’s top cuvée, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Tintot is a Mourvèdre-dominated (there’s 15% Grenache) behemoth that's going to require bottle age. Cured meats, toasted spice, graphite, and leafy herbs all flow to a thick, rich, powerful wine that has building tannins and a great, great finish. I suspect this puppy will shut down quickly, so try a bottle (or two) in the short-term and hide the rest for a good 4-6 years. This cuvée comes all from the Boislauzon lieu-dit, was completely destemmed and brought up all in older barrels.

Whiffs of smoked nut and dark chocolate accent primary, intensely ripe black cherry and plum in this wine. It's juicy and hedonistic, but shaded by hints of granite and earth. Approachable already it has firm tannins and subtle earth tones that should meld further through 2026. - ANNA LEE C. IIJIMA