Château de Vaudieu L'Avenue 2017

Made from 100% Grenache from a parcel next to the domaine, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape L'Avenue spent 18 months all in demi-muids. Notes of blueberries, spring flowers, sappy garrigue, and green peppercorns all give way to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated Grenache that has beautiful mid-palate density, building tannins, thrilling purity, and a great, great finish. It's a singular Grenache from this estate that's going to benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring and will keep for 15+. It's brilliant.

The 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape l'Avenue is 100% Grenache aged in demi-muids. Full-bodied, yet deceptively lithe and agile on the palate, it delivers a cornucopia of mixed red fruit—cherries, raspberries and strawberries—on the nose. In the mouth, it seems to darken a bit into black cherries, while adding a refreshing minty overtone. Tasted twice (once blind), with more tannin noted on one occasion but with a similar overall impression: a lovely expression of Grenache fruit that finishes silky and sublime, with a subtle dusting of Asian five spice powder.

Two sides of the same coin, L'Avenue is the brisker, brighter sibling of this producer's richer, more unctuous Amiral G. bottling. Both are made from 100% Grenache aged 18 months in demi-muid, but there's a thrilling edge to crisp raspberry and blackberry flavors. Zesty mineral tones and fine, wiry tannins augment it's pert, cutting feel. Delightful now but should reward cellaring as well. - Anna Lee C. Iijima.