E. Guigal Châteauneuf du Pape 2018

Excellent harmony of full body, moderately dry tannins and richness. The red fruits are now beautifully developed and there's just a hint of tar. A grenache-based blend that was matured completely in large oak foudre casks. Drink or hold.

Round and softened by time, this wine's bottle aging has brought out softened tobacco notes that layer over cherry and bitter almond skin. Reveals orange peel acidity and cocoa bean on the palate, with campfire and olive tapenade accents. Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Drink now through 2028. 20,000 cases made, 2,500 cases imported.

The blend of the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape was tweaked since I last tasted a sample, and it may be tweaked again before it's bottled, but what I tasted this time around delivered attractive floral and raspberry-scented aromas, a taut, tannic mouthfeel and a tart, racy finish. It will be interesting to see how it shows out of bottle, whether it will be more similar to this note or to the note I recorded two years prior.

From a vintage that yielded forward, charming wines, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape has a ripe, seamless, medium-bodied profile as well as outstanding aromatics of both red and black fruits, peppery herbs, and touch of flowery incense. It's elegant, has plenty of fruit, and a great finish. Drink it any time over the coming decade.