Tasted out of bottle, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape is a stunning example of this estate as well as the vintage. Gorgeous kirsch, flowery incense, spice box, and garrigue-like notes define the nose, and it hits the palate with classic Clos des Papes elegance and finesse backed up by a great mid-palate, fabulous concentration, and a monster of a finish. Don’t miss this beauty. It can be enjoyed today with incredible pleasure or cellared for two decades.

Bright and floral on the nose. The tannins are extremely fine, almost imperceptible, but very much present, giving the wine a strong base for long ageing. It's perfectly balanced, long and deep, resulting in a rich but surprisingly classic vintage of Clos des Papes considering the extreme conditions this year. Rich but bright, very complete and pure with no excesses. Vines are typically 30 to 40 years old, spread across 24 parcels. Matured for 12 months in foudres of at least four years of age.

This is a stunner, offering a gorgeous core of black tea–infused cassis, plum reduction and raspberry puree flavors. Additional black licorice, black tea and incense notes emerge alongside the fruit on the long, lush, seductive finish, which is harnessed by a graphite frame. A very confidently rendered wine. Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvèdre. Best from 2024 through 2040. 10,000 cases made, 700 cases imported. — JM

Coming in at 16% alcohol (like the 2016), the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape from Clos des Papes carries it comfortably, showing no sign of overt heat or overripeness. Hints of leather and crushed stone appear on the nose, adding a pleasant nuance to the somewhat monolithic black-cherry fruit. It shows less nuance and complexity than the 2020 at this stage but shows plenty of promise, as its concentration is matched by freshness and a long, reasonably elegant, finish. This will likely need some time to come around.

One of the wines of the vintage, Avril's 2019 Châteauneuf-du-Pape turned out beautifully. It wafts from the glass with pronounced aromas of predominantly red fruits, black cherry, garrigue , white pepper and crushed rocks, giving it a ferrous-like twist. On the palate, it is full-bodied, rich, built like a brick wall and possesses staggering intensity, concluding with a powerful finish.

Wow, really expressive nose – honeycomb and Conference pear. Rich palate with plenty of freshness and a sense of sweetness too, lemon verbena and bergamot. Drinking beautifully now but will improve with time. Fresh and also has broad shoulders at the same time. (AC)