Clos de l'Oratoire des Papes L'Oratoire des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2023 750ml

Here’s proof that not all the 2022 Chateauneufs are lush and fleshy. This is full-bodied and mouth-filling, but the overall impression is of harmonious dryness in spite of all the ripe sour cherry fruit. Bold but harmonious finish. Drink or hold.

Beautiful aromatics of ripe cherries, mulberries, sappy flowers, and Provençal spice and peppery nuances all emerge from the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape, a blend of 80% Grenache with 10% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, and 5% Cinsault aged eight months in concrete and 12 months in truncated tanks. It's nicely balanced and medium-bodied, has a pure, graceful, elegant mouthfeel, and supple tannins. This incredibly successful, charming 2023 will shine for at least a decade. Drink 2025-2035.

Shows approachability now, with all rough edges sanded off. Leafy, forest floor notes merge with a supple core of red currant and plum surrounded by sandalwood smoke on the medium frame. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault. Drink now through 2035. 16,667 cases made, 833 cases imported.

The 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsaut. It displays moderately intense aromas of predominantly red fruits, slightly cooked, as well as some leafiness. Medium to full-bodied, the well-structured palate delivers juicy fruit. Balanced by fresh acidity, it concludes with a bright finish. (Nicolas Greinacher)

A blend of 80% Grenache Noir, 10% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsault, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Clos de l'Oratoire des Papes reveals a slightly spicy bouquet of licorice, herbs, thyme, garrigue and dark cherries. Medium-bodied, round and sappy, it's supple with a fruity core, concluding with a gourmand, mouthwatering finish. Matured in a combination of stainless steel and tanks, this is a straightforward Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

The 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape (80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and the rest Mourvèdre and Cinsault) showed well, with the pure, focused, elegant style of the vintage front and center. A blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and the rest equal doses of Mourvèdre and Cinsault, it has a healthy ruby/plum hue as well as classic darker cherry and currant fruits, medium body, ripe yet building tannins, and ample peppery garrigue, lavender, and Provençal aromas and flavors. It’s rock-solid and borderline outstanding. Drink bottles any time over the coming decade. (Jeb Dunnuck)