Dom. de Marcoux Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes '20

Even more opulent than its '19 counterpart, this vintage glows with a dense purple core and explosive aromatics of blueberry liqueur, cured olives, and incense. The mouthfeel is both voluptuous and precise, with polished tannins carrying flavors of black raspberry, cocoa nibs, and star anise. Whole-cluster fermentation lends an appealing stemmy complexity to the fruit-driven core. Aged 20 months in foudres, it earned 97 points for its phenomenal depth and aging potential. The finish resonates with graphite and garrigue notes. Best enjoyed with game birds or slow-braised short ribs after 2025. The exceptional drainage of the domaine's stony vineyards proved ideal in this warm vintage.