Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge '20 Red Wine & France & Rhone Rouge

The 2020 vintage of this benchmark Châteauneuf presents an opaque purple-ruby core with a shimmering magenta rim. The profoundly complex nose offers layer upon layer of blackberry confit, roasted venison, tapenade, and exotic spice box aromas with emerging floral and mineral undertones. The palate is both powerful and elegant - flavors of blueberry compote, bitter chocolate, and smoked herbs cascade across the tongue with a texture like liquid velvet, earning perfect 100-point scores from multiple critics. At 16% alcohol, the wine carries its weight effortlessly thanks to the vintage's perfect phenolic ripeness and 5.4 g/L TA. The finish lasts nearly two minutes, evolving through phases of fruit, mineral, and spice. From 50-100 year old vines farmed biodynamically, this will evolve beautifully for 25+ years. Decant for 4-6 hours if drinking young with rich game dishes.