Smelling this great Chateauneuf is like gazing into a deep chasm. Amazing complexity with aromas ranging from black raspberries through to candied orange, but also notes of raw meat and licorice. Super-concentrated, super-structured, but also more elegant than a wine built on this monumental scale can theoretically be. Extremely long, complete finish. A cuvee of 80% grenache, 10% syrah and 10% mourvedre. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.

Lastly, and surpassing what the estate achieved in 2019, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Lucile Avril is based on 80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvedre that was brought up all in concrete tanks. It's the deepest ruby-colored wine in the lineup and boasts a brilliant perfume of pure blackberries, ground pepper, licorice, dried garrigue, leather, and Asian spice. Pure, seamless, incredibly elegant, and full-bodied, it's another straight-up gorgeous wine from this team that readers will love to have in their cellar.

A step up from the regular cuvée is Durieu's 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Lucile Avril, mainly old-vine Grenache, with just 10% each Mourvèdre and Syrah. Also made and aged in concrete, it delivers layers of black cherries, dusty earth and dried spices on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is supple and creamy-textured, and hints of licorice and peppery spice appear on the lengthy finish.

Ripe, lush, round and packed with crushed rocks, herbs and spice, is already easy to taste. The majority of the blend is Grenache with a bit of Syrah and Mourvedre and is a selection from various parcels. Drink from 2022-2031. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/search-wine-tasting-notes/?szSearch=2020%20Durieu