Tardieu-Laurent Tardieu-Laurent Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2023 750ml

Cut from the same cloth as the Galets d'Or yet darker, richer, and more concentrated, the Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is based on 80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre that was 50% destemmed and aged 24 months in foudre and used oak. Its deeper ruby hue is followed by a powerful bouquet of ripe black cherries, roasted garrigue, candied orange, pepper, and roasted meats. It's a rich, full-bodied 2023 that has a round, layered mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. It's very much in the more forward, ripe, expressive style of the vintage, yet this brings impressive mid-palate depth as well as overall concentration. Drink this brilliant, classic, sensationally Provençal Châteauneuf du Pape over the coming 15+ years. Drink 2025-2040.

Also pure Southern Rhône goodness, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes has classy notes of red and blue fruits, candied orange, flowers, peppery garrigue, and loads of Asian spices. Beautifully textured, silky, and elegant on the palate, it has wonderful tannins, a notable sense of freshness, and a great, great finish.

Ripe and expressive, with a lovely display of warmed plum, raspberry and blackberry puree flavors infused with red tea and anise notes. Features a solid mineral note that chimes on the finish, while a roasted apple wood frame keeps it all in line as the fruit takes an encore. Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah. Best from 2023 through 2036. 650 cases made, 200 cases imported. (James Molesworth)

Seductive and perfumed, with a pronounced layer of crushed iron supporting juicy plum puree, melted licorice and grilled aniseed. Applewood smoke wafts through the full-bodied frame, held in check with firm red tea tannins. Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Drink now through 2040. 400 cases made, 100 cases imported.

Generous and focused, with sweet cherries, ripe red berries and sweet baking spices on the nose, following through to a full body with ripe tannins. Flavors of fruit and sweet spices with a generous finish. Drink or hold.