2020 Dm de la Vieille Julienne Reserve Châteauneuf du Pape, Southern Rhone

Lastly, the 2020 Châteauneuf du Pape Reserve is probably the wine of the vintage. You're not going to find a richer, more concentrated wine out there, especially one that's also flawlessly balanced and as seamless as they come. Almost all Grenache from a single parcel of sandy soils, brought up in foudre, its dense purple hue is followed by a mammoth-sized bouquet of black and blue fruits, herbes de Provence, graphite, ground pepper, and liquid violets. Full-bodied, powerful, and opulent on the palate, it has building yet sweet tannins, remarkable purity of fruit, and a huge mid-palate, all of which give it some approachability even today. Nevertheless, this incredible wine deserves 4-6 years of bottle age and will cruise for two decades in cold cellars.

99 points Jeb Dunnuck

Few estates command the respect of Domaine de la Vieille Julienne. Located in the northern sector of Châteauneuf du Pape, the Daumen family has farmed these remarkable vineyards for generations, with Jean Paul Daumen widely regarded as one of the Rhône Valley's most gifted vignerons. A pioneer of organic and biodynamic farming long before it became fashionable, he has built a reputation for producing wines of extraordinary purity, energy and longevity. The Réserve is among the estate's most sought after wines, released only in exceptional vintages from the domaine's finest old vine parcels.

The 2020 vintage delivered beautifully balanced fruit, combining concentration with freshness and precision. Predominantly old vine Grenache, supported by small amounts of Mourvèdre, Syrah and Counoise, the wine is sourced from ancient vineyards planted on complex soils of galets roulés, clay and limestone. Low yields, meticulous vineyard work and minimal intervention in the cellar allow the vineyard's character to shine with remarkable clarity.

Deep garnet crimson in colour, the bouquet is profoundly complex, revealing layers of blackberry, black cherry and raspberry liqueur intertwined with lavender, thyme and wild rosemary. As the wine opens, notes of licorice, crushed rock, smoked herbs and exotic spices emerge, creating extraordinary depth. The palate is powerful yet weightless, delivering immense concentration without sacrificing elegance. Waves of dark fruits, savoury garrigue and mineral complexity are framed by velvety tannins and vibrant acidity. The finish is incredibly long, unfolding with spice, floral notes and stony minerality long after the wine has left the glass.

This is a wine worthy of the grandest table. Pair it with slow roasted lamb shoulder, venison loin, beef daube, truffle infused mushroom dishes or aged hard cheeses. While already magnificent with extended decanting, the wine has the pedigree to evolve gracefully for two decades or more, revealing ever greater layers of complexity and nuance.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2045+.