Chateauneuf du Pape Marcoux 2023 (750ML)

Concrete does most of the work at Domaine de Marcoux. The 2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape spent 18 months with three-quarters of the wine in concrete, a fifth in large wooden vats and only 5% in old barrels, and the blend is 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 7% Syrah and 3% Cinsault. Sophie Armenier runs the estate today with her son Vincent, who is taking a growing role in the vineyards, working 18 hectares spread through the south, northwest and center of the appellation. The wine is a medium ruby, with warm, spiced red and black fruit, black olive, wilted flowers and Provençal herbs on the nose. Medium to full in body, it is all grace and transparency, with very fine tannins, depth rather than weight, and a long, even finish. Critics see it drinking from now through 2045. Pair it with daube provençale, lamb with white beans, or a ratatouille tian.