CDP Senechaux, Domaine des Sénéchaux 2016

As to the red, rocking levels of kirsch, black raspberries, toasted spices, and garrigue emerge from the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It's full-bodied, concentrated, pure and elegant, with sweet tannin, and an opulent, flamboyant style. Based largely on Grenache, with smaller amounts of Syrah and Mourvèdre, it has fine tannin, impeccable balance, and a great finish. Along with the 2010, it’s the finest wine to date from this estate.

Vivid ruby in colour, the nose on the 2016 Senechaux is deep and ripe but incredibly pure. Blackberries and other hedgerow fruits leap out of the glass in a brambly and intense nose. The palate is rich, with great intensity of red and black fruit, but is tamed by ripe tannins and some freshness of acidity that lifts this vintage and gives great balance. This wine offers all the hedonistic pleasures of Chateauneuf du Pape that we love, but the added freshness of acidity and fruit leaves a harmonious finish which differnetiates it from the sweeter, rounder 2015.

A bit lighter in weight than I would've expected, Sénéchaux's 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape presents a medium to full body, cherry fruit and some peppery spice. Drink this easygoing, supple Châteauneuf over the next 6-7 years. The blend in a typical year is 64% Grenache, 19% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre and 2% Cinsault and Vaccarèse. Drink Date 2018 - 2025