2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Val de Dieu Château de Vaudieu

A great vintage for this cuvée (and the region as a whole), the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Val de Dieu is 64% Grenache, 28% Syrah, and the balance Mourvèdre, all brought up in demi-muids. Fabulous notes of garrigue, new saddle leather, graphite, and assorted sweet red (and some black) fruits give way to a full-bodied, ripe, powerful wine that has remarkable elegance and purity. It's already approachable yet will unquestionably benefit from short-term cellaring and shine for a decade or more. 2020 - 2035

Egetræet sætter sit præg i en grad, så vinen er svær at vurdere. Den er ikke til lige nu, i hvert fald, kræver mindst fem år og gerne det dobbelte, og er der så materiale nok? Masser af frugt her, mørke bær, koncentreret saft, en del tannin også, men det er mest træet, der taler lige nu.

Full-bodied and plush, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Val de Dieu is a blend of 64% Grenache, 28% Syrah and 8% Mourvèdre. Brought up exclusively in demi-muids, it does show some toasty accents, but it delivers a lush mouthful of ripe raspberries and vanilla that glides to a lingering, slightly charred finish. 2018 - 2035.

Brilliant magenta. Intense raspberry liqueur, cherry pit, incense, potpourri and spicecake aromas show sharp delineation and pick up a vibrant mineral quality with air. Sweet and energetic in the mouth, offering deeply concentrated but lithe black raspberry, cherry pie, five-spice powder and lavender pastille flavors that slowly fan out on the back half. Effortlessly marries richness to finesse and finishes wonderfully long and spicy, with harmonious tannins adding shape and gentle grip.

A beauty, with boysenberry, loganberry and blueberry fruit streaming through. Creamy and lush in feel, yet driven and detailed due to seamless acidity and light anise, black tea and lavender notes. Reveals a light graphite hint at the very end. Best from 2020 through 2040.-J.M.