Le Clos du Caillou Les Safres Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2019

Blackberry, star anise and juniper. Only medium-bodied for a Châteauneuf, but this has plenty of impact and intensity. Lovely bright acid line and sense of freshness from start to finish. Silky and voluptuous. 95% Grenache; 5% Mourvèdre, Vaccarèse and Cinsault. Grown on sand in lieu-dit Les Bédines, destemmed, fermented in concrete, then matured mostly in foudre except for 25% in demi-muid. Drinking window: 2021-2028. Part of Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2019 Report and Top-Scoring Wines. Score – 96. (Matt Walls, decanter.com, Dec. 6, 2020)