Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve La Vieille Julienne 2018 (750ML)

95 Points, Wine Spectator: "Gorgeous raspberry, boysenberry and blackberry pate de fruit notes meld together with warmed fruitcake, anise and red tea notes in this red, which is all understated stylistically. A subtle signed alder frame guides this all through a focused finish where fine chalky minerality lingers prettily. Best from 2024 through 2038." 10/21

97 Points, Matt Walls, Decanter: "This is deeper in colour than the other cuvees, marginally. It’s exuberantly fruity with plum, prune and blackberry all in coulis. It's full-bodied, but not exaggeratingly so with mouthcoating fruit, and not quite as flamboyant as previous years - there's a little cool straightness to it. Despite the extremities of 2018, this is a relatively restrained vintage for this cuvee, and in that respect it's not a totally classic year. But it's all the more drinkable for it, with less noticeable alcohol than other hot years. This will be really exceptional in time. It has real texture, mineral drive and a very, very long finish. Finesse, elegance and drinkability in 2018. Biodynamic." 10/19

97 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com: "The 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Reserve comes from a single terroir (which is closest to the Les Trois Sources terroir) and is always a tiny production cuvée that’s just about impossible to find in the market. The 2018 shows the more elegant, seamless style of the vintage beautifully and has a gorgeous bouquet of cassis, blueberries, crushed violets, smoked game, ground pepper, and black licorice. This carries to a seamless, full-bodied wine that has no hard edges, flawless balance, and silky tannins, as well as a great finish. This is just about as good as 2018 gets and is a singular, gorgeous wine that’s going to evolve gracefully for 15+ years or more." 10/20