2018 Châteauneuf-du-Pape F601 Famille Isabel Ferrando (St.-Préfert)

Named for the vineyard parcel from which it comes, the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape F601 is entirely Cinsault, from vines planted in 1928. Aged in demi-muids, there are only 800 bottles of this new cuvée, so I suppose this review is largely academic. That said, when Cinsault performs like this, it's certainly worthy of note, as it's often used for rosé or (in Châteauneuf, an appellation where rosé isn't permitted) dismissed as a minor blending variety. This wine is anything but minor. Floral and spicy on the nose, supremely silky on the palate, nearly endless on the finish, it delivers the goods, cushioned by perfumed, herbal, cherry and raspberry fruit flavors. It's not quite as expansive or generous as the Grenache-based Colombis, but it might be more concentrated and longer on the finish. I've been deliberately conservative with my drinking window, as it's delicious now, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it showing well in a decade's time (assuming there's any left).

No F601 is not the latest supercar from Ferrari. It is the most recent offering from Isabel Ferrando. From 100% Cinsault planted in 1928, the parcel is named F601. This stunning wine offers a beautiful perfume packed with flowers, spice box, wild cherries, kirsch, underbrush, and red plums. Soft, silky, fresh, clean and pure, with spicy top notes that fit perfectly with all those sweet raspberries and kirsch notes, the wine, aged in demi-muids and is going to be close to impossible to find as only 800 bottles were produced. Each bottle comes in its own display box, so if you find a bottle, grab it.

This lush and silky version absolutely drips with cherry paste, kirsch and raspberry pâte de fruit flavors, infused with light pepper, sweet tobacco and black tea notes, with a stunningly seductive mouthfeel. Finishes with a second rush of fruit, warmed anise and a subtle mineral twinge. Drink now through 2035.

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