Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Hauts Lieux red 2023

Coming from a slightly higher elevation parcel and based on 65% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre, and the rest Cinsault and Counoise, the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Hauts-Lieux offers darker berries, scorched earth, pepper, and sappy garrigue. The slightly cooler terroir as well as the higher Mourvèdre component always gives this a more inward, tight, focused, structured style. It's medium to full-bodied, has beautiful tannins and integrated acidity, and shows a gorgeously balanced, pure profile. It will benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age as one of the longer-lived wines in the vintage. Drink 2029-2045.