Domaine Saint-Préfert Collection Charles Giraud 2019

The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Collection Charles Giraud includes a big chunk of Mourvèdre and is 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre that was partially destemmed and brought up in demi-muids. If offers a deep ruby/plum color as well as a rich, savory, complex bouquet of black raspberries, cassis, toasted spice, cured meats, and graphite. The Mourvèdre really shows in this beauty, and it's full-bodied, concentrated, and structured, yet never loses its seamless, flawlessly balanced profile. It's going to need 4-5 years of bottle age but will have 20-25 years of ultimate longevity. It's another thrilling wine from this estate. These will be the last wines under the Domaine Saint-Préfert label; going forward, the wines will be under the Domaine Isabel Ferrando label. In addition, both special cuvées of Reserve Auguste Favier and Collection Charles Giraud will be discontinued in favor of a single Châteauneuf du Pape cuvée (à la Clos des Papes) that will include all the estate terroirs.

Opaque ruby. A complex, expansive bouquet evokes ripe red7blue fruits, exotic spices and potpourri, all enlivened by a smoky mineral nuance that builds as the wine opens up. Sweet, chewy and energetic in the mouth, offering concentrated black raspberry, boysenberry, violet pastille and fruitcake flavors that show excellent clarity and back-end lift. The mineral and floral notes build on an insanely long, penetrating finish shaped by emerging, polished tannins. This monumental wine was fermented in concrete tanks and raised in demi-muids .

An assemblage of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre, both aged in demi-muids, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Collection Charles Giraud features a hint of brown sugar on the nose, then waves of blueberries, black cherries and plums, plus some more savory suggestions of black olives. Full-bodied and showing tremendous richness and depth, it's sturdier and denser than the Auguste Favier, with a long, dark, earthy finish and plenty of tannin. Give it some serious time in the cellar. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.