Bottled in April, the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape is mostly Grenache that was all destemmed and was raised in foudre, tronconique, and concrete tanks. It has a pretty, medium-bodied, elegant style as well as both red and black fruit, peppery herbs, and violet notes. Showing the fresher, more mid-weight style of the vintage, it's balanced, has fine tannins, and outstanding length. It has a more expansive, seamless, pleasure-bent style than most and is one of the top base cuvées in the vintage. Bravo.

The 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of 85% Grenache with the rest split between Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsaut. It is medium to full-bodied, displaying lovely aromas of raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, roasted herbs and a pinch of licorice. The fruit has a beautiful, jewel-like quality to it and shines brightly. What a beautifully refined offering from Sophie Armenier and her son Vincent.

A real success, Armenier’s 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape reveals a bouquet of violets, dark wild berries, spices and garrigue accented by delicate notes of pepper. Medium to full-bodied, delicately juicy and round, it is enrobing and seamless, with good depth at the core and framed by a bit firm, structured tannins. While it possesses a slightly austere and strict character at this stage, I believe time will be an ally, allowing it to evolve beautifully.