Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge AOC 2020 (0.75l)

A profound red-black fruit nose with sweet, fully ripe cherries, blackberries, and plums. From the outset, a very generous and open character, very charming, with tons of ripe fruit, yet zero jam, zero overripeness; everything radiates an enormous, clear freshness despite the fruit density. A touch of ethereal spice, a hint of cocoa, leather, and tobacco all around, lends the dense fruit a tart component. An intoxicating, delicious, inviting nose. With more aeration, it becomes increasingly smoother, a hint of milk chocolate emerges, making it increasingly inviting and charming! Then there's plenty of power, but also freshness on the palate. Present, yet very fine tannins, they give the wine a touch of rusticity, which is a good fit, because everything here isn't yet in complete balance, but still somewhat wild and spicy. Again, plenty of dark fruit and a tart spiciness; the bouquet's aromatic spectrum is consistently continued here, wrapped in a wonderfully finely woven texture. A salty piquancy paired with red fruit acidity flashes through the tannins; the wine dances on the tongue, then radiates that dense, clear, dark fruit again on the finish. A small Chateauneuf with big plans! This is truly enjoyable, accessible from the first minute, showing depth and complexity, and also potential for a more balanced, velvety future, but already a dynamic, lively treat.