After the inaugural 2007 vintage and the follow-up 2016, 2019 is only the third year when Domaine de la Janasse bottled the Châteauneuf-du-Pape XXL. It is predominately made from old-vines Grenache along with small amounts of Mourvèdre and other permitted varieties. While the Grenache has aged for two years in foudre, the Mourvèdre was briefly aged in French oak barriques with a small proportion of new oak. Medium ruby-colored, it wafts from the glass with pungent aromas of jammy red and black fruits, licorice, garrigue, cured meat, cloves and a pinch of bourbon vanilla. Full-bodied, massively concentrated and muscular, it wears its enormous power with style, like a bodybuilder in a taylor-made suit. Only 3,000 bottles produced.

Lastly, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape XXL is pure magic and one of the most singular wines out there. Based on 65% Grenache and the rest Syrah and other varieties, it was only 30% destemmed and brought up all in demi-muids. Where previous vintages of this beauty were almost over the top, the 2019 shows a more elegant, pure, balanced profile as well as incredible aromatics of ripe red and black fruits, herbes de Provence, ground pepper, violets, and other notes of Southern Rhône-like goodness. Incredibly powerful and opulent, it somehow manages to stay perfectly balanced, has a wonderful sense of freshness, silky yet substantial tannins, and an awesome finish. Unfortunately, there are just over 300 cases produced, so it won't be easy to find, but this ranks with the all-time greats. It deserves 4-5 years of bottle age and should evolve for 30 years if well-stored.