2018 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Auguste Favier Rouge Famille Isabel Ferrando (St. Prefert)

Richer and more concentrated, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Reserve Auguste Favier offers an incredibly layered, elegant, yet also powerful profile. Plenty of dark fruits, bouquet garni, pepper, and some meaty notes all define the bouquet, and it's as seamless and silky as they come on the palate. It's going to benefit from just short-term cellaring and will keep for two decades.

This red puts on a gorgeous display of racy cassis, cherry puree and raspberry coulis flavors laced with garrigue and singed sandalwood accents, while a mouthwatering mineral edge drives underneath. The long finish lets the fruit play out, adding flickers of tobacco and shiso leaf. Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvèdre. Best from 2022 through 2038.

The nose, with its blend of herbs, strong floral notes and sweet kirsch hit all the right notes. On the palate the wine is medium-bodied, offering energy and lift to the elegant, silky, red berries and spice. This is going to be great with just a bit of age, though I cannot blame you if you can’t wait to pop a cork. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/2020/10/2018-chateauneuf-du-pape-report-with-tasting-notes-harvest-info/?fbclid=IwAR3NjDhWE_jIJkpzvnXni6gCAOTtWz5N9vqjOLXPzs3Tpi8-XMxXvgFEbkw

Limpid ruby-red. A highly complex, mineral-accented bouquet displays Chambord, incense and baking spice qualities, and a suave floral nuance builds with air. Stains the palate with lively, sharply delineated red berry liqueur, lavender and spicecake flavors braced by a core of juicy acidity. In a vibrant style, finishing spicy and very long, leaving notes of candied flowers behind.