Châteauneuf-du-Pape is one of my go-to wines, but this particular bottle left me underwhelmed. On the nose, it offered promising notes of licorice and cherry, which had me eager for the first sip. Unfortunately, the palate lacked the depth and complexity I’ve come to expect from this region.

To its credit, the wine did improve with time, so I’d recommend decanting to allow it to open up. Still, it never quite delivered the rich leather and earthy tones that I typically look for in a Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Tasted June 2025