2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Feminessance Domaine Tour Saint Michel

50% Syrah, 50% Grenache. Cask sample. Meaty, rich nose and palate with spice, baked black fruit and sweet spice influence. Dense, lengthy, opulent. Captures the perfume of Syrah well, and tempers it with the flesh of Grenache nicely. (RH) 15.7% Drink 2018-2036.

The more modern-styled 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Feminessance sports a deep purple color as well as copious amounts of black raspberries, sweet oak, Christmas spice, and licorice. More backward, powerful, and tannic than normal, it nevertheless has remarkable purity of fruit. Give bottles 3-4 years of bottle age and enjoy over the following 10-15. The blend is equal parts Grenache and Syrah aged in 50% new and 50% used barrels. 2021 - 2036.

Unlike the 2015, which showed great right out of the gate, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Feminessance is overly marked by new wood. A 50-50 blend of Grenache and Syrah, aged 50% in new oak barriques, half in older oak, it offers toast, cedar and even menthol notes, with undercurrents of mocha and cola. It's full-bodied, creamy textured and plush on the long finish, so perhaps it will improve over the next decade. 2018 - 2028.

Deep in color, the wine is full bodied, round, fleshy and fresh. Ripe black cherry with peppery spice and herbs flows easily. Rich and concentrated, some bottle age will add more depth, softness and complexity to the wine. The wine was made from 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah.