Rich black cherry and strawberry fruit, with impressive density and palate weight. The balance is good, with fur-coat tannins and admirable freshness. Yet again, this vintage turns out a wine seemingly far too good for the climatic conditions – but the evidence is here. Will be ready much sooner than the Vieilles Vignes cuvée, and is very close if not equal in quality, but just in a less robust, structured style. Parcels of Grenache planted on lieux-dits Chapouin, La Janasse and La Crau, the oldest planted in 1912.

A superb, well-driven and precise 100% grenache. Lovely nose of sweet cherries, currants, wild herbs and sweet spices. Full-bodied with fine, firm tannins. Intense and well-crafted, with a vivid core of sweet berries and spices on the center palate. There is plenty of energy and a solid frame of tannins coating the palate at this stage. Crushed raspberries in the finish with some orange peel character and excellent persistence. Driven and long. Try after 2028.

The normal blend of the three parcels and all Grenache from the Chapouin lieu-dit that was fermented with a 30% whole clusters, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Chaupin reveals a medium ruby hue to go with gorgeous notes of framboise, sappy garrigue, spring flowers, and crushed stone. These carry to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated Chaupin offering terrific overall balance, beautiful tannic structure, and a great finish. As always, this cuvée shines for its incredible finesse and elegance. Drink bottles over the coming 10-15 years. It reminds me slightly of the 2011.

The magnificent 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Chaupin is at eye level with the equally stunning 2020. Expressive orange rind, forest strawberry, crushed violets, raspberry and licorice rise up from the glass. Offering a gentler tannic core and softer overall mouthfeel than the Vieilles Vignes from the same vintage, the focused 2022 Chaupin is right up there with the finest vintages this cuvée has ever seen. Bravo!

Seductive, ripe and winey, with red currant and melted licorice notes pouring over warm stones and toasty sandalwood. The silky texture and fullness are offset by hints of grilled herbs and juniper, plus a lot of mineral energy. Offers a kick of spices and kirsch on the long, finessed finish. Drink now through 2038. 3,333 cases made, 504 cases imported.

Crafted from vines planted on sandy soils, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Chaupin, a 100% Grenache Noir partly destemmed, exhales a somber, elegant bouquet of dark cherries, spices, flowers and licorice mingled with oxidative notes with air. Medium to full-bodied, firm, dense and extracted, it has an assertive tannic frame and concludes with a long, dry and dense finish. While undoubtedly powerful, the oxidative style and prominent tannins seem unbalanced, detracting from its overall harmony.- YC