2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée du Lion Domaine Tour Saint Michel

A rich and graceful Chateauneuf with stacks of red fruit aromas, plus notes of fresh rosemary, tobacco leaf and summer flowers. Excellent interplay of generous fine tannins and ripeness on the precisely contoured palate. Long, elegant finish. A cuvee of 75% grenache, 20% syrah and 5% mourvedre. Drink or hold.

The Fabre family has owned and managed Domaine Tour Saint-Michel for four generations. Their 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée du Lion differs from the Cuvée des Deux Sœurs as it is partially aged in old oak barriques and also contains 5% of Mourvèdre at the expense of Grenache. The result is an equally big and modern-styled effort with an abundant perfume of cooked red and black fruits, cloves, dried herbs and cured meat. Full-bodied, polished and rich, it is tucked into a velvety tannin structure, neatly balanced by fresh acidity and culminates in a penetrating finish.