Châteauneuf-du-Pape Collection Charles Giraud, Domaine Saint Préfert

Note:

The 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Collection Charles Giraud is a 60-40 blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre, fermented with all the stems. There`s a hint of cocoa, but raspberries and strawberries are the dominant fruit flavors in this lively, zesty wine. Trace notes of mint, lavender and tea leaf add complexity. Full-bodied and velvety in texture, it`s intensely concentrated and rich yet not overly heavy or overripe (it weighs in at 15.5% alcohol), with a lingering, elegant finish. It`s a tour de force that should age for two decades or more, and it will be interesting to see how it compares to the perfect 2010 after it`s had a few years in bottle.