2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Hauts-Lieux la Vieille Julienne

The 2016 Châteauneuf du Pape Haut Lieux is another killer wine that might flirt with perfection from bottle. Crème de cassis, crushed rock, pepper and licorice all emerge from this huge, structured, tannic wine that has incredible purity, full-bodied richness, and just about perfect integration of its fruit, alcohol, tannin, and acidity. This cuvée comes from a higher elevation, slightly cooler parcel and includes more Mourvèdre, and it's going to be for readers with cool cellars and plenty of patience.I've said it many times, but I'll say it again, there are few wines I'd rather have in my cellar, or on the table, than a Châteauneuf du Pape from Jean-Paul Daumen. The 2015s are beautiful wines and shine for their elegance and purity. They don't have the sheer wealth of material found in vintages such as 2001, 2005, 2010, or 2016, yet has incredible elegance and purity, as well as balance. Jean-Paul commented that he's never seen a vintage like 2016 and his wines are opulent and hedonistic, yet as with all the wines from this estate, has purity, elegance, and structure. They're some of the greatest wines in the vintage.

Intense, featuring a hefty core of dark currant, fig and blackberry confiture flavors, meshed with bittersweet cocoa, smoldering tobacco and warm earth notes. Tarry grip supports the finish, while a mouthwatering garrigue streak drives through. Grenache, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Best from 2022 through 2040.

Brilliant ruby-red. A highly perfumed bouquet features fresh, mineral-tinged red berry liqueur, lavender and incense scents, and mineral and Asian spice flourishes add complexity. Pliant and seamless on the palate, showing a superb blend of density and energy to the sweet Chambord, cherry, floral pastille and spicecake flavors. Fine-grained, building tannins give shape to the strikingly long, vibrant finish, which emphatically echoes the red fruit and floral notes.

From three high altitude parcels close to the limestone plateau, with some clay in the mix. It's darker and more aromatically brooding compared to his Trois Sources, fuller- bodied with really concentrated and inky fruit. It is very fresh and lively too, with mineral grit and a minty kick on the finish. This has a larger tannic load and is a bigger, more ageworthy wine. Drinking Window 2020 - 2035.