Shows significant smoky mineral energy that simmers beneath the surface, layered with plush, ripe fruit and grilled garrigue. Burly and powerful, revealing a refreshing menthol note and good balance despite its heft, with muscular tannins holding a firm grip. One for the cellar. Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Best from 2025 through 2032. 1,300 cases made, 240 cases imported.??–KB??Region: France / Southern Rh?ne / Chateauneuf-du-Pape Select to Add

Warm in feel, with a gush of plum puree and blackberry paste flavors, liberally laced with black licorice and roasted alder notes. A solidly built, modern version, with a nice tug of warm earth on the back end. Best from 2022 through 2034. 700 cases made, 280 cases imported.??–JM??Region: France / Southern Rh?ne / Chateauneuf-du-Pape Select to Add

The 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape les Origines is rich and intense, a full-bodied, velvety wine with wow-level concentration. Blackberries and plums line the palate, finishing long, with hints of salted licorice. As usual, it's a blend of approximately 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 20% Syrah, with the Grenache maturing in tanks and the rest in older barrels.

The 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape les Origines offers up scents of lavender and thyme on the nose, accenting red berries and cherries. This full-bodied effort reveals an intriguing tautness on the palate, with tart, redcurrant and pie-cherry notes juxtaposed against hints of dark chocolate. It seems to have tightened up a bit since I tasted it last year. The tannins are more prominent here than in many 2018s, suggesting that a couple of years in the cellar wouldn't hurt, as there's ample concentration and plenty of fruit-driven length on the finish.

The 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape les Origines is richer and denser than the entry-level bottling, layering hints of chocolate over black cherries, plums and purple raspberries. A blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 20% Syrah, half was aged in new barriques, while the other half stayed in concrete tanks. It's nearly over the top, being full-bodied, rich and velvety, with a long, plush finish and never-ending waves of flavor on the finish. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.