2021 Dm de la Vieille Julienne les Trois Sources Chateauneuf du Pape, Southern Rhone

Slightly less Grenache than a normal year. Lovely aromas of freshly squished raspberries. Lighter in body, higher in acidity than usual, really quite piercing. There's a touch of licorice. Tannins are fine and it has an overall fresh feel. Three terraces of sandy soils at the northern edge of the appellation. Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Counoise, Mourvèdre, Muscardin, Terret Noir, Vaccarèse, Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Picardan, with an average age of 75 years, all co-planted and co-fermented.

94 points Matt Walls decanter.com

Dark ruby colour with purple hue and violet tinges. Refined and expressive nose with aroma reminiscent of blackberries, ripe cherries, juicy plums, incense and mild spices.
Aromatic herbs, hints of earthiness and blossoms in the background. On the palate rich yet elegant with very good depth and length, a well balanced wine with convincing structure and rich taste expression yet very elegant in its character.

94+ points Markus Del Monego MW

Domaine de la Vieille Julienne is one of the Rhône Valley's most revered estates, led by the visionary Jean Paul Daumen. A champion of organic and biodynamic farming, Daumen has spent decades refining a style that combines concentration, purity and extraordinary terroir expression. The estate's vineyards lie in the northern reaches of Châteauneuf du Pape, where old vines rooted in diverse soils consistently produce wines of remarkable energy and longevity. Les Trois Sources is often regarded as the heart and soul of the domaine, capturing the character of several exceptional vineyard parcels in a single, harmonious expression.

The 2021 vintage brought freshness, precision and classical balance to Châteauneuf du Pape. Sourced primarily from old vine Grenache with supporting roles from Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault, Les Trois Sources draws its complexity from a mosaic of galets roulés, clay and limestone soils. The cooler conditions of the vintage have produced a wine with exceptional aromatic detail and finesse, while preserving the depth and concentration expected from this celebrated estate.

Deep ruby garnet in colour, the bouquet is wonderfully expressive, offering aromas of blackberry, red cherry and raspberry layered with lavender, thyme and wild rosemary. As the wine opens, notes of licorice, crushed stone, spice and dried flowers emerge, creating impressive complexity. The palate is beautifully balanced, combining vibrant red and dark fruits with savoury garrigue, mineral nuances and silky tannins. Fresh acidity provides energy and definition, while the finish is long, elegant and remarkably persistent, carrying waves of spice, herbs and floral perfume.

This is a superb partner for slow roasted lamb shoulder, duck confit, Provençal vegetable dishes, beef daube or wild mushroom and truffle ragù. While approachable with a decant, the wine has the structure and pedigree to evolve beautifully over the next fifteen to twenty years, developing even greater savoury depth and complexity.