Domaine de la Solitude 2023 Chateauneuf du Pape, Rhone Valley

“The 2023 Chateauneuf du Pape from Domaine de la Solitude opens with a dense, slightly oaky bouquet of dark plums, licorice, dark berries and chocolate. Medium- to full-bodied, sappy and enveloping, it’s a concentrated wine framed by velvety tannins, concluding with a long, spicy finish. The blend—60% Grenache Noir, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault and 5% Counoise—was matured for 15 months in a combination of 10% new oak and concrete tanks. This is a powerful, polished wine with a clear technical signature.”—Johan Castaing, RobertParker.com