Domaine de Beaurenard Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2017

CnP wines are really good ripe wines from the Southern Rhone of France. These wines are generally GSM blends (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre), and very ripe and full flavored. The Southern Rhone is a warm place with lots of sun and the Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC is known for these big stones called gallettes that are all over the place in and among the vineyards. This particular CnP wine is a wonderful wine at about a mid-level price. The 2017 Beuarenard CnP is primarily Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre but also has a smattering of several other approved varietals to round it out. Too many to list really.

This wine is young and definitely needs time in the decanter to open up and shine. The nose is packed with jammy fruit, black berries, cherries, and you will notice an herbal characteristic as well and a slam dunk on the Fennel / Black Licorice. This is the easiest thing to pick up right as the bottle is opened and as the wine itself starts to breathe. On the palate the wine is medium bodied, dry, and medium-low acidity. It is balanced and delicious, the flavors open up as the wine moves across the palate.  This is not a “punch you in the face” power house of a Chateauneuf-du-pape. It is more refined and reserved. A tremendous wine!