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CDP Croix de Bois, Maison M. Chapoutier 2019

Tasting Notes

The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Croix De Bois comes from a single vineyard near the town of Bedarrides and, as with the Barbe Rac, is 100% destemmed Grenache aged in concrete tanks. While I ordinarily prefer the Barbe Rac in terms of quality, this cuvée, which comes from cooler, more clays soils, offers a touch more purity and precision in 2019. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and nicely focused on the palate, it has incredibly Provençal notes of red and black fruits, peppery garrigue, saddle leather, and chalky minerality. It’s also perfectly balanced. I’d happily drink a bottle today, but a few years in the cellar will do it well, and it will certainly evolve for two decades.

97
Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com, November 2021

Ratcheting up the quality, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Croix De Bois boasts a more medium ruby/purple hue as well as a stunning bouquet of kirsch liqueur, ripe cherries, flowery incense, loamy soil, and Provençal garrigue. With incredible finesse, full-bodied richness, and a great mid-palate as well as silky tannins, this remarkable 2019 will benefit from just short-term cellaring and evolve for 15-20 years or more.

96/98
Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com (222), November 2020
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