Domaine de Ferrand Domaine de Ferrand Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022 750ml

I continue to love what vigneron Philippe Bravay accomplishes from his estate in the northern part of the appellation, and his 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape is another finesse-driven, incredibly beautiful expression of this magical region. Based on 85% Grenache, 5% Mourvedre, and the rest a mix of permitted varieties, it was partially destemmed and brought up in equal parts stainless steel and concrete tanks. It offers a huge perfume of ripe strawberries and red fruits as well as sappy flowers, garrigue, and Provençal herbs. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, balanced, incredibly seamless Châteauneuf du Pape with no hard edges, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. I’d be a buyer. This will put a smile on your face any time over the coming 10–15 years. (Jeb Dunnuck)

The 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape from Bravey is complex and upfront, with spicy, peppery red fruit, loads of garrigue and incense nuances, medium body, a focused, elegant mouthfeel, building tannins, and a great finish. Drink this remarkably Provençal, complex, satisfying 2022 over the coming decade. The 2022 is a normal blend of 85% Grenache, 6% Mourvèdre, 4% Bourboulenc, 3% Syrah, and 2% Cinsault, from the La Bertaude, Cabrières, and Maucoil lieux-dits, that was raised all in concrete. (Jeb Dunnuck)

Licorice, ripe red fruits, dried herbs and a pinch of violets launch the 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Compared to a barrel sample tasted earlier this year, the once grippy tannins have evolved toward more refinement. Balanced by bright acidity, the full-bodied 2022 should start showing at its prime with an additional four years of bottle-aging. That said, it cannot compete with the more complete 2020 version. (Nicolas Greinacher)