Wine Advocate 96 points.
"The blockbuster 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Chante le Merle Vieilles Vignes is a big, hulking wine, loaded with minty-stemmy notes and dark, plummy fruit. Allspice and salted licorice provide additional nuance, making it more than just a powerhouse, but it is a full-bodied, tannic wine that will need time in the cellar." JC May 2022.
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points. Moving to the old vine cuvée, which is a blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Mourvèdre, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Chante Le Merle Vieilles Vignes reveals a deeper ruby/purple color as well as a richer, slightly more powerful bouquet of blackcurrants, jammy black cherries, roasted garrigue, black licorice, and assorted background notes of spicy meatiness. It’s full-bodied and has a beautiful mid-palate, building tannins, and a great finish. This is another classic yet ripe, pure, and beautifully balanced wine from this estate that will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and keep for 15+ years or more. Range: 94-96 Wine Spectator 95 points. Steeped plum and cherry compote notes are the main marker here, though chestnut, sweet bay, singed alder and tobacco flavors all make their presence known. Tar and licorice root accents underline the finish, giving this a toothy, old school edge. Rock solid, throwback-styled Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2024 through 2038.
