DESCRIPTION: As for the reds from the barrel, I found a touch of volatile acidity in all of the barrel samples, as well as a touch less exuberance and concentration than in past vintage. Still, as I hope the scores show, the wines are beautiful. A bigger, richer wine based on 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre, the 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Renaissance knocks it out of the park with its black and blue fruits, roasted meats, violets and mint-laced bouquet. It’s slightly less concentrated and decadent than previous vintages, yet is still full-bodied, seamless and concentrated, with sweet tannin. It should benefit from short-term cellaring, yet drink reasonably well in its youth

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