Domaine de Cristia Domaine de Cristia Châteauneuf-du-Pape Renaissance 2020 750ml

Checking in as a normal blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Renaissance has a slightly more modern bouquet that includes plenty of red and black currants, spicy oak, dried garrigue, and classic Mourvèdre meatiness. It too is full-bodied and has a supple, elegant, plush texture, bright tannins, and a great finish. The cuvée normally needs a good 3–4 years of bottle age, but the 2018 is one of the more approachable examples of this cuvée that I can remember. You can probably safely drink this any time over the coming 15 years or more.

Also not yet bottled, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Renaissance is 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre that’s from the southern portions of the Cristia lieu-dit and the Font du Loup lieu-dit, both being sandy soils. It has a slightly modern vibe due to the new oak but boasts classic Provençal notes of gamey meats, ground pepper, garrigue, and woodsmoke. Pure, full-bodied, and seamless on the palate, it’s going to offer pleasure in its youth but warrants 2–4 years of bottle age. It will keep for two decades.

A sultry, extroverted style, oozing raspberry coulis and smoked red currant flavors set against cigar box and iron underpinnings. This has a suave texture, with plenty of decadence reined in by the fine tannins and notes of wet earth and singed garrigue. Drinking beautifully now, this will also hold up very well in the cellar. Drink now through 2035. 200 cases made, 50 cases imported. (Kristen Bieler)

Ripe but restrained, with a bit of charm to its raspberry and cherry coulis notes that mix with red tea, mineral and singed cedar accents. The fruit darkens up a touch through the finish, with a juicy edge lingering. Drink now through 2034. 400 cases made, 75 cases imported.

The pale ruby-colored 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Renaissance is a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre. It opens with aromas of very ripe and occasionally cooked red and black fruits, dried herbs and a cloud of oak derived notes such as cloves and vanilla. This is not surprising, as it aged for 18 months in a combination of demi-muids and new oak barriques. Full-bodied and rich, the 2020 Renaissance is a well-structured, modern red which requires a few more years in bottle. (Nicolas Greinacher)

There’s so much tar character in the nose it smells like the freeway is melting. However, the expansive palate is properly dry and rather fresh. Crisp finish. A cuvee of 60% grenache and 40% mourvedre. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. (Stuart Pigott)