Lastly, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Deus-Ex Machina shows a similar profile to the Combes des Fous, yet it brings another level of tannins and concentration. Kirsch liqueur, white flowers, sandalwood, cured meats, and graphite notes all shine here, and it's full-bodied, has a deep, layered, powerful, yet weightless profile, lots of ripe tannins, and a blockbuster of a finish. This ripe, sexy, seamless, incredibly impressive beauty will compete with anything in the vintage. As usual, this cuvée is 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre, which is brought up in roughly 40% new demi-muids.

This sublime and distinctive Châteauneuf offers waves of complex, concentrated flavor yet never feels heavy. Sanguine tones of bacon fat, grilled herbs, tobacco and cured meat layer atop warm plum and macerated cherry. Creamy, with beautiful textural appeal that goes on and on thanks to ultrafine tannins. Shows zero rough edges, with plenty of pleasure and smoky allure. Grenache and Mourvèdre. Best from 2026 through 2040. 380 cases made, 80 cases imported.

Powerful and nuanced, the 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus Ex Machina unwinds with prominent black cherry compote, melted licorice, crème de cassis, black tea and clove. Anchored by a firm tannic core, the full-bodied 2022 is a bold and ambitious Deus Ex Machina, closing with utter persistence on the refined finale. As usual, this is one for the hedonists. -- Nicolas Greinacher