M. Chapoutier Croix De Bois Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2021 (Subskription)

"All Grenache, the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Croix de Bois comes from the Bédarrides (eastern) portion of the appellation, grown on clay soils with an overlay of galets roulés. While the nose and attack deliver open, voluminous notes of ripe cherries and raspberries, the wine seems to tighten on the full-bodied midpalate, building in structure and salinity while adding taut flavors of cranberries and orange zest framed by silky tannins. There's a lively tension in this wine, which should give it more than a decade of longevity."

"Pure kirsch and raspberry coulis notes stream through in this silky-textured beauty, with light shiso leaf, mineral and red tea accents filling in the background. Hard to resist now, but there's some sneaky latent grip, so cellaring will work, too. Drink now through 2035. 20 cases imported."

"A very classic meaty, warm and spicy Chateauneuf with a wonderful balance of richness and fine-grained tannin that is comforting and embracing. Lovely, creamy finish with many savory and earthy nuances. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold."

"Vivid ruby-red. Powerful, spice-accented red berry and spicecake aromas are complemented by suave floral and incense nuances that expand as the wine opens up. Appealingly sweet and broad on the palate, offering juicy raspberry, cherry liqueur, star anise and floral pastille flavors supported by a vein of juicy acidity. Smoothly plays richness off energy and finishes supple and extremely long, with lingering spice and floral notes and smooth tannins that add shape and subtle grip. Aged in concrete tanks."

"Good depth of colour. Black cherries and liquorice on the nose, good sense of ripeness. Very rounded, fruity, generous. Very ripe, with a touch of prune to the fruit. Good acidity, but it doesn't totally disguise the very high alcohol, which is warming on the finish. Ripe, long, juicy - I would drink young. Soft, with juicy tannins."