Xavier Vignon Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Anonyme 2015 (x3)

Xavier Vignon is one of the Rhône's leading winemaking consultants, and so it's no surprise he had access to some great fruit for his 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Anonyme. Tellingly, the blend entirely omits Syrah, containing 60% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre, 8% Counoise, 4% Vaccarèse and 3% Muscardin. Floral notes and ripe cherries appear along licorice and vanilla (one-fourth of the wine was matured in new barriques), yet this is no drink-now version of CdP. This full-bodied wine boasts broad shoulders, a plush, creamy center and a muscular finish loaded with ripe tannins and spice. Give it a few years to mellow, and drink it over the next 15. - Joe Czerwinski. 

The inky colored 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Anonyme is a serious winner in the vintage. A blend of 60% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre and the rest Counoise, Vaccarèse and Muscardin, it offers a huge nose of blackberry jam, garrigue, crushed violets, and incense. Ripe, unctuous and opulent, yet not over the top, it reminds me of the Trois Source cuvée from Vieille Julienne. This is a smoking good release that will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and shine for over a decade.

A modern, cassis-scented style with richly floral notes and a smoothly rendered palate that has a wealth of attractive blueberry and red plum flavor. Silky finish.