This is a refined Châteauneuf du Pape from Domaine André Brunel and the 2020 vintage, labelled as “Les Cailloux” (the pebbles). It’s a more restrained version of Châteauneuf du Pape, but is nonetheless a rich and powerful wine. In the glass, this wine has aromas of red fruits, thyme and earth. The palate is full bodied, and its key feature is its good balance between its ripe red and savoury fruits and its alcohol of 14.5. It is not difficult to find Châteauneuf wine with alcohols exceeding 15.0 due to the heady combination of the warmth of the southern Rhône valley in France, stoney soils and heat loving grenache. This is a very good quality wine that can be approached now and over the next 5 to 7 years. Review Rating: Very Good (★★★★, 90 points). Website: Domaine André Brunel. Tasted: May 2024.
