Almost a complete and accurate replay of an earlier tasting of this wine, we opened this to serve with barbecue ribs.
While somewhat subdued the first evening upon opening, I reopened it the next evening and it was more expressive, bigger and more complex with more pronounced fruits.
This wine was rated 92 points
from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate,
Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Spectator
and Vinous - a rare occasion of absolute concensus amongst four leading wine critics.
As written in previous tasting, classic Châteauneuf-du-Pape profile and characteristics, minus the black pepper notes which are suppressed and replaced by notes of lavender and floral.
Deep, dark ruby/purple colored, medium to full-bodied, black berry and black currant fruits with licorice, black tea, notes of vanilla bean, roasted herb, forest floor and meaty aromas with smooth tangy black cherry notes, licorice and smoky minerals lingering on a moderate tannin laced finish.
RM 91 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/barcode.asp?iWine=634331