Deep and dark, which is hard to find this year, the fruit combines black cherries, plums, kirsch and black raspberries with a blast of spice. Rich, but not out of balance, the wine sits perfectly on the corner of full and balanced. Length, purity and elegance are the cornerstone here in the finish. I really like the depth of flavor, spice and expansiveness in the finish which comes from all the Mourvedre. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2018&wine=Domaine%20Saint%20Prefert%20Chateauneuf-du-Pape%20Collection%20Charles%20Giraud

Intense, with a Turkish coffee note out front before the core of steeped plum, black cherry and fig fruit starts to unfurl, while extra hints of singed alder, garrigue and warm earth develop, adding length and range on the finish. Delivers muscular power and perfumed grace that work together perfectly. Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Best from 2022 through 2040. — J.M.

Really lifted, aromatic, lung-filling aromas, strongly led by Mourvèdre. Heavy, heady blooms along with strawberry and earth. This has a full-bodied, fat and broad palate, but there's enough energy to keep it tight and rolling. Fine tannins and plenty of them, as well as marked acidity for a 2018. Alcohol is on the high side but this is nonetheless very good. Tight, taut and mineral.

Boasting the darkest fruit of the three 2018s from Saint-Préfert, the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Collection Charles Giraud delivers notes of black cherries and dark chocolate, plus hints of wintergreen, cassia bark and baking spices. It's full-bodied but less expansive on the palate than the others, compact and dense without being heavy or overdone, and it's framed by ripe but supportive tannins. Mexican chocolate and cola notes linger elegantly on the lasting finish.- JC

Saturated ruby. Highly expressive, mineral-accented cherry and dark berry liqueur, cola, licorice and potpourri scents are complemented by an exotic spice nuance. Broad and fleshy in the mouth, offering deeply concentrated black raspberry, boysenberry and bitter cherry flavors that become sweeter and more lively as the wine opens up. Shows excellent clarity and floral lift and finishes extremely long and spicy, with steadily building tannins adding closing grip. -- Josh Raynolds

(95+ points) Lastly, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Collection Charles Giraud is a more Mourvèdre driven wine and is 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre, from 80-year-old vines, that was only partially destemmed and brought up all in demi-muids. Ruby/purple-hued with gorgeous crème de cassis and black cherry fruits as well as notes of smoked meats, white chocolate, ground pepper, and candied violets, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless, silky texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a great, great finish. As with the other 2018s here, it’s pure class. It can be drunk today or cellared for 15+ years.