Domaine Benedetti Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2020

More expressive and complex than many 2020 Châteauneufs at this early stage, with Provençal herbs and bay leaf aromas to the blackberry fruit – very promising. Light- to medium-bodied, fluid and juicy, with fresh acidity, this is well-defined and should build some complexity in time. Finishes on a savoury note. From lieux-dits La Crau (sand and galets roulés), Le Pradel (red clay) and Les Saintes Vierges (sand). Fermented in concrete with natural yeasts, aged in oak barrels of various sizes (including 20% new oak barriques) and concrete vats. Score – 93. (Matt Walls, decanter.com, Sept. 30, 2021)