2021 Dm de la Vieille Julienne Les Hauts-Lieux Chateauneuf du Pape, Southern Rhone

Much fuller, richer than the Trois Sources. Clearly higher alcohol, with very piercing acidity and fine tannins. The alcohol is quite raised, but it has good length. From three parcels close to the limestone plateau with some clay, relatively high altitude and late ripening, with less exposition to the sun.

94 points Matt Walls decanter.com

Intense purple colour with violet hue. Initially slightly closed, the nose opens up very well with some oxygen. Fine aromatic expression reminiscent of ripe plums and black cherries, dark berries, aromatic herbs and hints of garrigue. Mild spices, vanilla and a whiff of licorice in the background. On the palate rich and well structured with firm yet ripe tannins, although the powerful character, the wine shows freshness, fine hints of minerality in the aftertaste. A wine with complexity and length.

96 points Markus Del Monego MW

Domaine de la Vieille Julienne stands among the elite producers of Châteauneuf du Pape, with Jean Paul Daumen widely recognised as one of the Rhône Valley's most gifted vignerons. Farming organically and biodynamically for decades, Daumen has built a reputation for producing wines of remarkable purity, energy and longevity. Les Hauts Lieux is one of the estate's most sought after cuvées, sourced from a distinctive high elevation parcel that consistently delivers wines of exceptional finesse, minerality and complexity.

The 2021 vintage brought freshness and precision to Châteauneuf du Pape, producing wines that recall some of the region's classic years. Les Hauts Lieux is crafted primarily from old vine Grenache, supported by small amounts of Mourvèdre, Syrah and Counoise. The vineyard's limestone rich soils and elevated position contribute tension, aromatic lift and a distinctive mineral character that sets this wine apart from many of the appellation's richer expressions.

Deep ruby garnet in colour, the bouquet is beautifully layered with aromas of wild raspberry, blackberry and red cherry intertwined with lavender, thyme and dried rose petals. As the wine evolves in the glass, notes of licorice, crushed stone, exotic spice and dried herbs emerge, revealing extraordinary detail and complexity. The palate is powerful yet remarkably graceful, delivering concentrated red and dark berry fruits framed by silky tannins and vibrant acidity. Layers of savoury garrigue, floral notes and mineral nuances build through the palate before flowing into an exceptionally long and refined finish.

This is a magnificent wine for slow roasted lamb shoulder, duck confit, venison, Provençal vegetable dishes or truffle infused mushroom recipes. While already captivating with extended decanting, Les Hauts Lieux possesses the structure and pedigree to evolve beautifully over the next two decades, gaining even greater complexity and nuance.