CDP Hautes Brusquières, Domaine de la Charbonnière 2001

This blockbuster is fashioned from a single vineyard "lieu-dit" of the same name planted on the high plateau behind the village. Made from 100% destemmed Grenache and Syrah (60% of the former and 40% of the latter), malolactic fermentation occurs both in foudre and barrel, and some new oak is untilised. The deep ruby/purple-coloured 2001 offers a sweet nose of crème de cassis, raspberries, cherry liquer, smoke, and truffles. Full bodied, with high levels of glycerin, tremendous purity, and a voluptuous, long, fruit and flavour-filled finish, this is a multilayered, impressive chateauneauf to enjoy between 2006-2017.

Tasted out of magnum (which I'm sure helped with the overall level of freshness), the 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape Hautes Brusquières Cuvee Speciale is a head-turner that’s still lively and fresh. It has full-bodied richness, tons of flesh and texture, beautiful purity and terrific notes of black currants, licorice, olives and roasted herbs. It’s a solid step up over the Vieilles Vignes release and should continue to evolve through 2021+.