(95-98 points) Not as rich or concentrated as I was expecting, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes still delivers ample layers of dark fruit, hints of cola, mint and spice elements. It's full-bodied, silky and long, but it looks to fall short of the quality heights reached by some other recent vintages.- JC

Not terribly dark in the glass, but this has real power and concentration yet no heaviness. It's very well judged, not too much, no over-extraction, just a really classic Châteauneuf imprint that's balanced and charming without being forced or exaggerated. It's young but drinkable already, and will age well too. That's balance for you. From very old vines, fermented in concrete, matured for 12 months in foudres and demi-muids.

(97+ points) Much more powerful and closed, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes comes more from the La Crau and La Janasse lieux-dits and is the usual blend of mostly Grenache with a touch of Syrah. Blackberries, graphite, scorched earth, pepper, and sappy garrigue all emerge on the nose, and it's full-bodied, has beautiful concentration, polished tannins, and a great finish. Nothing is out of place, and this perfectly balanced, authoritative, powerful, and incredibly impressive 2020 will benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age and evolve for 15-20 years in cold cellars.

Dark in color, the wine exudes a hint of jam along with black cherries, flowers and spicy plums in the nose. On the palate, the wine is lush, polished, balanced and fresh merging its naturally powerful, full-bodied style with elegance and polish. Clearly, this is one of the wines of the vintage. The wine is a blend of 85% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 5% Mourvedre. Drink from 2023-2038. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/search-wine-tasting-notes/?szSearch=2020%20janasse%20Chateauneuf

This is brimming with dark cherry, blackberry and boysenberry compote flavors that spill forth, laced with generous licorice snap, tar, graphite and black tea notes. A nice tug of iron appears very late on the finish, as the fruit lingers on. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2024 through 2040. 1,500 cases made, 392 cases imported.- JM

The 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes reveals enticing aromas of strawberry compote, crème de cassis, licorice, garrigue and hints of peppermint. Full-bodied, elegant and framed by velvety tannins, it is well-balanced by fresh acidity, closing with a long-lasting finish. - By Nicolas Greinacher on April 2023