2019 Châteauneuf du Pape VIEILLES VIGNES, Domaine Grand Veneur

"Always the densest and richest of the cuvées at this benchmark estate, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes features scents of cedar and mocha layered against a backdrop of black cherries. This actually is a bit like Black Forest cake—that ripe, rich and dense, with chocolate and vanilla shadings—but remains dry and savory in the end, with velvety tannins and tremendous length. It's approximately 50% Grenache (aged in tank), plus 40% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah (both aged in new barrels)." (Joe Czerwinski in Robert Parker's Wine Advocate)

"Lastly, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is more classic, with a fresh, vibrant, full-bodied style that carries seriously dense black and blue fruits, graphite, scorched earth, and peppery garrigue like aromas and flavors. Rich, powerful, and with plenty of structure, it’s going to need bottle age but is certainly a tremendous wine in the making. The blend is 45% each of Grenache and Mourvèdre, with 10% Syrah, that was vinified in stainless steel and aged in 55% new barrels and the balance in concrete tanks." (www.jebdunnuck.com)