CDP Reine des Bois 2016

The inky colored 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Reine des Bois is a match for the otherworldly 2001 and is a magical wine that couldn’t be any better. Based on 75% Grenache and the balance Mourvèdre, Syrah, Vaccarèse, and Counoise, raised in tank and neutral barrels, its inky black color is followed by an awesome perfume of blackberries, smoked earth/charcoal, licorice, graphite, and garrigue. Deep, full-bodied, with a huge mid-palate, a seamless texture, and serious tannins, it has the purity as well as depth that makes this vintage so compelling. This modern-day legend needs 3-4 years of cellaring and is capable of lasting for 15-20 years. This estate has unquestionably landed on its feet after the passing of Christophe Delorme in 2015, and you’ll have to go back to 2001 to find wines at the same level as these 2016s.

Score: 100

Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Maturity: 2022-2042 28 August 2018