Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes 2020 (750ml)

#12 - WINE SPECTATOR TOP 100 2023

 

A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Vaccarèse and Muscardin, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes is made from old vines located in and around Le Crau. The Grenache is aged in concrete for 12 months while the remainder is aged in demi-muid.

Leads with warm ganache and fig bread notes, followed quickly by raspberry reduction accents that take some time to unwind. Showcases plum pâte de fruit, sanguine and black licorice notes, with a flicker of Turkish coffee underscoring the finish and giving this a decidedly dark profile in the end. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Vaccarèse and Muscardin. Best from 2024 through 2038. 900 cases made, 670 cases imported. (James Molesworth)

A bottling for the American importer (Eric Solomon/European Selections), the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is blended to the same proportions as the main cuvée (75% Grenache, 15% Syrah and the rest a mix of other permitted red varieties), but it includes more old-vine Grenache. It's all destemmed and reached 16% alcohol this vintage, so it's a slightly bigger, richer wine, loaded with black cherries and dried spices. Full-bodied, concentrated and velvety, it's a lush, long-finishing beauty that should drink well for over a decade.

The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is cut from the same cloth as the base cuvée yet brings more mid-palate depth and richness. It’s a classic 2020, with elegance, freshness, and purity as well as loads of Provençal charm. It should drink nicely right out of the gate yet also evolve for 10–15 years. (Jeb Dunnuck)