The stunning 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale comes from old vines in two sandy parcels—one in Pied Long and one in la Crau. Exotic aromas of orange zest, Campari-like spice and exquisitely ripe cherries appear on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is silky and creamy in texture yet airy and vibrant, with a long, zesty finish. It's a definite candidate for wine of the vintage, alongside its Mourvèdre-based stablemate, La Part des Anges.

Very deep, smoky and meaty with an exotic twist in the nose. Then comes a stunning combination of freshness and concentration on the impeccably balanced and precise palate, where the tannins build and build at the long, structured finish. 90% grenache from vines on sandy soil with northerly exposure, planted in 1901 & 1902, with 10% of other traditional grape varieties for the appellation. Matured 100% in concrete tanks. Bottled unfiltered. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.

(93-95 points) Lastly, the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Imperiale is all old vine Grenache. It sports a semi-opaque ruby color as well as sumptuous notes of black cherries, strawberries, candied violets, and Provençal herbs. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it's balanced and has a ripe, layered mouthfeel, plenty of ripe tannins, and a great finish.

Lovely sense of purity and clarity to the forest berry fruit, with a whiff of smoke emerging with air. Medium- to full-bodied style, plenty of fruit concentration, with expressive blueberry and blackberry muddled together. Long finish, ending neat and precise. This has a fair whack of fine tannin, so give it time. Soils are mostly sand in lieux-dits Farguerol nord and Pied Long. Fermented and aged in concrete. (Drink between 2025-2036)

Spicy, peppery, black raspberries, flowers, smoky herbs, and kirsch notes are all over the aromatics. The palate is even better with its layers of sweet, ripe, dark red fruits, spices, herbs, elegant, supple-textures, and freshness. The finish delivers lift, and energy to the peppery, red fruits. The wine is produced from 100% old vine Grenache from vines up to 120 years of age. Drink from 2024-2037.

The 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Impériale Vignes Centenaires stands out from the crowd. It is made from older than 120 years vines and harvested at miniscule yields of 16 – 18 hL/Ha. Precise aromatics soar from the glass: crushed violets, red cherry, raspberry, strawberry, exotic spices, dried lavender and a deliciously ferrous twist which I’ve also discovered in their 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Made almost entirely from Grenache and aged in concrete vats, this energetic, full-bodied red is marked by a firm tannic structure as well as excellent purity, showing great persistence on the savory finish. (Drink between 2027-2041)