Never the biggest or richest wine in a vintage, the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape is medium ruby-hued with an incredibly complex, Provençal perfume of spiced black cherries, leather, rose, and pepper. It’s medium-bodied and shows a pretty, pure, elegant mouthfeel with ultra-fine tannins and outstanding length. The blend is 50% Grenache, 15% Syrah, and the balance Mourvèdre and other permitted varieties, which were vinified with some stems and aged in foudre. It’s already drinking beautifully but has another 15+ years of prime drinking ahead of it. It’s a beautiful, complex, nuanced, elegant 2023 with tons to love. Drink 2025-2040.