2022 Dm de la Vieille Julienne Reserve Châteauneuf du Pape, Southern Rhone

One of the most singular wines of the appellation, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Réservé comes from sandy soils in the northern part of the appellation and is based on 85% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 5% Cinsault raised all in foudre. Blackberries, roasted garrigue, graphite, cassis, and ground pepper all soar from this fabulous Grenache, which has ultra-fine yet substantial tannins, full-bodied richness, and a broad, layered, incredibly compelling style. Borderline perfection, it doesn't get better than this in the vintage, so hats off to Jean-Paul Daumen for another truly singular, magical wine. Give bottles 2-4 years and enjoy over the following 15-20 years.

99 points, Jeb Dunnuck

Blackberry jam flavours. but still powerful and fresh. Crushed strawberries too, and crushed bay leaves. It's full-bodied and powerful, with remarkably driving acidity. The finish is long, with pliable, if dense, tannins - chewy like liquorice. It's concentrated but not overripe, and the alcohol doesn't feel excessive in the mouth (though it's still around 16.596t) A great Grenache, with incredible structure selection from Les Trois Sources, the domaine's oldest Grenache. Only produced when the Grenache is good enough

97 points, Matt Walls, Decanter

The 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve is one of the wines of the vintage. Soaring from the glass with precise layers of crushed violets, graphite, raspberry compote, melted licorice and orange rind, the 2022 packs dazzling levels of concentration, yet there’s enough freshness to keep everything in check. Interestingly, it is less spicy compared to the 2019 and 2020 renditions, instead focusing on glossy fruit and floral elements. Firmly built like a skyscraper, the knock-out 2022 shouldn’t be touched prior to 2030. Production yielded only 1,700 bottles.

97 points, Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous

"Notes of spices, dark wild berries, dark cherries, flowers, violet and iris introduce the dense, powerful structure of the 2022 Réservé, a fleshy, concentrated wine with velvety tannins, seamless texture and a pure, long and powerful finish. It's a masterful display of controlled power, enhanced by a harmonious, clean and polished structure that perfectly exemplifies the Daumen family’s style. This incredible wine will offer a broad drinking window. Kudos!

97+ points, Yohan Castaing, The Wine Advocate

Concentrated, dark and dense, this is just beginning to reveal its power and complexity. Supported by a firm spine of solid iron, with its mix of cherry leather, smoked lavender and bitter plum skin showing tar, balsamic and dark chocolate details. Singed cedar notes will integrate with time in bottle. The tannins are powerful yet finely cut, and though massive in scale, this doesn't tip into over-opulence. Give this a few years to show its true potential. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2028 through 2040.

 97 points, Wine Spectator

Few estates in Châteauneuf du Pape command the respect of Domaine de la Vieille Julienne. Jean Paul Daumen has become one of the Rhône’s most admired growers through meticulous biodynamic farming, old vine fruit and an uncompromising belief that great wine is made long before harvest begins. The Reserve bottling sits at the top of the estate’s range, sourced from ancient Grenache planted across rocky galets roulés soils that capture the southern sun while preserving remarkable freshness and energy. Production is tiny and demand from collectors is fierce every vintage.

The 2022 release is powerful yet incredibly refined, carrying all the warmth and concentration of the vintage without losing detail or poise. Waves of black raspberry, kirsch, plum and dark cherry unfold alongside liquorice root, cracked pepper, dried lavender, smoked herbs and warm stone. There is a haunting garrigue character woven through the wine, that unmistakable scent of wild thyme, rosemary and dusty hillside after a hot mistral wind. Despite its richness, the wine never feels heavy. The tannins are velvety and layered, the finish long, savoury and deeply mineral with enormous ageing potential ahead.

This deserves slow food and good company. Think braised beef cheeks with black olive and anchovy, wood fired lamb with garlic and rosemary or duck cooked over charcoal with burnt figs. Later in the evening, once the plates are cleared, the wine keeps evolving in the glass with an almost Burgundian sense of detail beneath all that Rhône generosity. It is already captivating with a decant, though patience will reward collectors over the next 15 to 20 years.