Château de Vaudieu Amiral G 2018

As always, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Amiral G. is all Grenache that comes from a single parcel near the estate. An incredible bouquet of kirsch liqueur, seaweed wrapper, black licorice, and roasted garrigue gives way to a medium to full-bodied, powerful Grenache with a stacked mid-palate, beautiful tannins, and more power and richness than just about every other wine in the vintage. Nevertheless, like all great Grenache, it stays beautifully balanced and weightless on the palate. It’s already complex but promises 15 years or more of prime drinking.

Strong garnet, ochre reflections, discreet light rim. Delicate noble oak note, inviting berry fruit, with light spice notes and candied orange zest in the background. Juicy, complex, fruity, vivid tannins, honey, a peppery edge, still very youthful and will definitely age well.

The 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Amiral G is a massively ripe yet gentle beast of a wine, with layers of black cherries and dark chocolate swirled together with melted tannins. Full-bodied and supple, it's mouth-fillingly rich and not for fans of gentle introverted offerings. I have my reservations about the ageability of wines that show alcoholic warmth and dried-fruit notes on the finish, but there is no doubting the early-drinking appeal of this voluptuous sexpot.