Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge AOC 2019

Dense cherry red with violet and slightly rusty reflections.

The nose clearly shows the strengths of the Grenache in this cuvée. Warm, ripe fruit that expresses itself mainly in the form of blackberry, sweet cherry, blueberry and beetroot. The fruit always appears round and polished. Never overripe or even cheesy, but very balanced and harmonious. The beetroot contributes plenty of earthy spice. Cocoa butter and mildly roasted coffee beans, along with dark chocolate, provide many sensual feel-good moments. It expresses its Mediterranean side through rosemary, thyme and a little lavender and pine groves. Black olives are also included here. Pickled plums, cinnamon and clove provide variety, along with juniper and pepper. Hibiscus provides it with a generous floral dark note. Finally, a touch of pencil adds a cooling element.

On the palate, it seems very ambivalent. On the one hand, there is the generous, warm, almost sprawling fruit. The aromas of the nose come to the fore, the earthy beetroot is the absolute link and it is enormously loud in its fruit expression. This is countered by its clearly present acid structure, which meets the fruit with bite. In combination, this ensures juiciness and drinking flow at the same time. As warm as it starts and the extract sweetness has an effect on the palate, the crisp acidity is also important alongside the mild tannin. The bitterness sets in directly on the palate with this soft tannin. In the finish, ethereal nuances appear alongside the tart accents. The fruit shows surprisingly restrained portions in the finish.