Famille Brechet Château de Vaudieu Amiral G. Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2018 750ml

As always, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Amiral G. is all Grenache that comes from a single parcel near the estate. An incredible bouquet of kirsch liqueur, seaweed wrapper, black licorice, and roasted garrigue gives way to a medium to full-bodied, powerful Grenache with a stacked mid-palate, beautiful tannins, and more power and richness than just about every other wine in the vintage. Nevertheless, like all great Grenache, it stays beautifully balanced and weightless on the palate. It’s already complex but promises 15 years or more of prime drinking. (Jeb Dunnuck)

The 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Amiral G. brings more density and depth. Based on 100% Grenache aging in concrete and demi-muid, its medium ruby hue is followed by a gorgeous perfume of black cherries, wild strawberries, Provençal garrigue, leather, and peppery, spice-like nuances. It's beautifully polished, medium to full-bodied, has a layered, elegant mouthfeel, and ripe, building tannins. It's very much in the sunny, perfumed, complex, and already accessible style of the vintage yet is going to evolve gracefully over the coming 15 years.

A beauty, with captivating raspberry, plum and black tea aromas and flavors and a silky, seductive feel, this glides through effortlessly. So stylish it almost floats by, but it leaves a mineral edge to linger persistently, keeping it grounded. Drink now through 2035. 300 cases made, 30 cases imported. (James Molesworth)

Crafted entirely from Grenache Noir planted on galets roulés, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Amiral G reveals aromas of dark cherries, spices, oak, licorice and lead pencil mingled with garrigue notes. Medium to full-bodied, structured and concentrated, it's denser and fleshier than the classic cuvée with velvety tannins and a rich, powerful finish. Produced at only 3,000 bottles and matured for 18 months in demi-muids or 600-liter barrels, this is a great success.