This Week's Must-Try Wines from Vinous

Welcome to this week's Must-Try Wines from Vinous! Each week, we compile a list of wines from the Vinous database that you need to add to your wine wish list. With all the various regions, producers, and grapes, no week will be the same! All of the wines listed in this feature are available for purchase on Banquet . This week's must-try wines are selections from Nicolas Greinacher's article, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022: Bring It On . Enjoy his notes for this week's must-try below! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ “After getting a good glimpse at the 2022 vintage while visiting other Rhône appellations last year, I was eager to see how Châteauneuf-du-Pape performed in a growing season marked by heat, drought and hail. The short answer is that 2022 is a very good vintage in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, clearly surpassing 2021 for the reds, though likely not at the same level as 2020. Overall consistency for reds in 2022 is higher than in 2021, and there are plenty of excellent wines cruising in an affordable price range.” --Nicolas Greinacher, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022: Bring It On, June 2024 1. 2021 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2. 2022 Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 3. 2010 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réservé Pignan 4. 2005 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 5. 2022 Domaine de Panisse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Le Mas 6. 2023 Le Clos du Caillou Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Les Safres 7. 2022 Le Clos du Caillou Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Quartz 8. 2021 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape 9. 2020 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Le Vieux Donjon

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2020

Delectable Wine
9.4

The ambitious 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is one of my all-time favorites from this estate. Crushed violets, licorice, red and black cherry, ripe strawberry and leafy elements are all pushed forward. Full-bodied and savory, the 2020 demands at least four more years in bottle to start showing its full potential. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, June 2024)
— 6 months ago

Domaine de Panisse

Le Mas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2022

Delectable Wine
9.3

Forest strawberry, black pepper, crushed violets and dried herb pinches present the 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Le Mas. Medium-bodied at most, the 2022 contains finely sculpted tannins that provide gentle structure. Polished and refreshing, it concludes with a refined finale. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, June 2024)
— 6 months ago

Château Rayas

Réservé Pignan Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grenache 2010

Delectable Wine
9.5

The 2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réservé Pignan is a powerhouse, unfurling with intense black current pastilles, melted licorice, blueberry jam and pencil shavings. Dried orange peel and leafy elements add more layers. Flashy and forward, the full-bodied 2010 is a concentrated long-distance runner with an expansive finish. That said, it requires at least five more years to unearth its full potential. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, June 2024)
— 6 months ago

Le Vieux Donjon

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2021

Delectable Wine
9.1

Checking in at 14.83% alcohol, the 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a refined and predominately red-fruited beauty. Licorice and herbaceous components add more dimension. Framed by gentle tannins and more medium- than full-bodied, the 2021 ends with a bright finish. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, June 2024)
— 6 months ago

Le Clos du Caillou / Domaine du Caillou

Les Safres Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc White Rhone Blend 2023

Delectable Wine
9.2

The 2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Les Safres checks in at 14.98% alcohol. A short élevage of four months in stainless steel neatly preserved the vivid freshness. Combining fragrant honeysuckle, yellow apple, lime flesh and white peach aromas, the medium- to full-bodied 2023 closes with persistence on the sapid finale. Production totaled only 2,593 bottles. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, June 2024)
— 6 months ago

Château La Nerthe

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc White Rhone Blend 2022

Delectable Wine
9.2

Vivid spring blossom, yellow apple, cedar, ripe pear and lemon flesh present the 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc. Medium- to full-bodied and kept in check by bright acidity, the 2022 is a sapid and expressive white Châteauneuf that can be enjoyed over the next four years. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, June 2024)
— 6 months ago

Le Clos du Caillou / Domaine du Caillou

Les Quartz Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2020

Delectable Wine
9.4

Coming in at 15.31% alcohol, the 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Quartz is gorgeous. Expressive and inviting, it showcases ripe black cherry, licorice, discrete cedar and black plum aromas. Black olive tapenade adds another layer. Neatly structured and with spot-on balance, the concentrated 2020 contains secure potential to last for up to 20 years. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, June 2024)
— 6 months ago

Clos des Papes

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2005

Delectable Wine
9.6

The ambitious 2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape evokes a savory aromatic profile that’s defined by earthy scents, tobacco, cured meat, dried blackberry, crushed rocks and leather. Fleshy and forward, the 2005 shows much more evolution than the 2007 does on this encounter. Fine-grained and perfectly integrated tannins structure this outstanding Clos des Papes, comfortably placing it among the wines of the vintage. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, June 2024)
— 6 months ago

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2021

Delectable Wine
9.2

Bottled in June 2023, the 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape ended up slightly below my initial assessment from barrel last year. Nonetheless, it presents a distinctively elegant and refreshing character that’s neatly defined by ripe black cherry, licorice, violet, strawberry and meaty traces. Round tannins neatly frame this savory and polished red that offers highly enjoyable drinking right out of the gate. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, June 2024)
— 6 months ago