2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Roussannes Château Vaudieu

A lush, substantial version, with warm apple, honey and melon flavors wrapped in a robe of toasty oak and spices. Creamy and rich on the palate, with dried thyme and salted buttercream notes on the lingering finish. Also reveals a quinine kick on the finish, which keeps this reined in, while citrusy acidity powers through nicely.

More medium gold-hued, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Vieilles Roussannes packs some muscle with its orange blossom, toasted bread, honeyed melon, and spicy aromas and flavors. It's rich, medium to full-bodied, has a killer texture, and fabulous length. It should have 4-5 years of prime drinking, if not longer. This is all Roussanne that spent 9 months in 50% new French oak.

The 2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Les Vieilles Roussanne unwinds with distinct herbal tea, cedar, honeysuckle and ripe pear aromatics. Hitting the full-bodied palate with ample concentration, it caps off with endurance on the elegant finish. Although the 2023 doesn’t reach the same heights as the standout 2021, it’s still a delicious effort from the talented Laurent Bréchet.