Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes Marcoux 2017 (750ML)

97 Points, Josh Raynolds, Vinous: "Vivid magenta. Seductive raspberry liqueur, exotic spice, potpourri and incense aromas, along with hints of musky rhubarb and smoky minerals. Juicy, seamless and energetic in style, offering densely packed red fruit, cherry cola, spicecake and floral pastille flavors that show superb delineation and spread out steadily as the wine opens up. Fine-grained, even tannins lend shape to a strikingly persistent, penetrating finish that shows intense red-fruit- and spice-driven tenacity. This wine is a standout of the vintage." 12/19

96 Points, Matt Walls, Decanter: "From 118-year-old vines planted on north-facing clay and sand in the lieux-dits of Charbonnières and Esquières, all co-fermented. The wine is sprightly, spicy and high-toned but fairly closed at the time of tasting. It has lovely bright red berry and plum fruit in the mouth, accompanied by a saline edge and juicy, ripe acidity which both contribute to the sense of vivacity. Very fine but generous tannins and a long, satisfying finish make for a lively style of Châteauneuf." 10/18

97 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com: "Made from 100% old vine Grenache sourced from the Charbonnière and Esquierons lieux-dit, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes showed brilliantly from tank last year, and it certainly didn't disappoint this go around. In the upper tier of the vintage, it offers a rock star bouquet of pure black raspberries, kirsch liqueur, garrigue, exotic flowers, and Asian spices. Full-bodied, concentrated, and incredibly seamless on the palate, it's one of those wines that carries an amazing amount of richness and depth yet magically stays light on its feet, elegant, and graceful. Grenache doesn't get much better. Give it 3-4 years and enjoy bottles over the following two decades of more." 8/19