In-Stock Châteauneuf Classics: Charvin, Chapoutier, & Vieux Télégraphe 

2020 Domaine Charvin Châteauneuf-du-Pape ($59.99)

97 points James Suckling: "This great Châteauneuf combines the richness of the vintage with remarkable precision and vitality. Stacks of ripe damson plum, licorice and candied orange. Great tannin structure and lots of power on the full-bodied palate, with bitter chocolate and a stony character that builds at the very long, super-focused finish." (04/2023)

95 points Decanter: "Little herbal note to the fruit bringing some complexity, this is saline, light, fresh, fluid and drinkable. Plenty of texture and interest to the fruit, with really searching tannins. Needs time to come round, will be elegant and charming when it does. Fruit, structure, fragrance and energy—it's got the lot. Very Charvin. Organically grown in the northwest of the appellation, in lieux-dits Cabrières and Maucoil where there's galets roulés and sand. It's fermented and then aged for 21 months in concrete using indigenous yeasts, then bottled unfiltered. (MW)" (09/2021)

94 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Another beautiful wine from Laurent, his 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape is a classic blend of 82% Grenache, 5% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, and the rest Vaccarese and Counoise, all from the northern part of the appellation, aged in tank. Perfumed red fruits, rose petals, spice, and sappy, peppery garrigue all flow to a medium to full-bodied, seamless 2020 with silky tannins, wonderful balance, and a great finish. It needs 3-5 years in the cellar to hit the early stages of its drink window, where it should keep nicely for over a decade ... This is as pure and classic as it gets." (11/2022)

94 points Vinous: "A blend of 82% Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah and equal proportions of Vaccarèse and Counoise, the 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape spent 21 months in concrete vats. The result is a vibrant red wine, bursting with precise aromas of ripe red fruits, blackberry, licorice as well as hints of dried thyme and lavender. Full-bodied, rich and layered, it is flawlessly balanced by fresh acidity and ends with good persistence on the savory finish. (NG)" (06/2023)

2019 M. Chapoutier "Barbe Rac" Châteauneuf-du-Pape ($89.99)

96 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Tons of garrigue, Provençal spice, pepper, and kirsch liqueur aromas and flavors emerge from the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Barbe Rac, a quintessential 100% Grenache revealing full-bodied richness, the ripe, concentrated style of the vintage, building tannins, and a great finish. All Grenache that was destemmed and aged 18 months concrete, it's going to benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age and cruise for 15-20 years in cold cellars." (11/2021)

96 points James Suckling: "Tons of forest berries and damson plums, but also dried herbs. An extremely expressive wine with great fruit, very fresh and slightly crunchy tannins, plus energy that makes it leap and bound across the palate. Stunning licorice and mineral finish that proves Châteauneuf can be an exciting and elegant wine." (02/2022)

96 points Wine Spectator: "Ripe and alluring, with a silky feel despite ample depth to the waves of cassis, bitter cherry and black berry fruit flavors. The finish boasts garrigue, singed cedar, dried anise, sanguine and black tea notes. A beauty for the cellar. (JM)" (06/2022)

2020 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe "La Crau" Châteauneuf-du-Pape ($99.99)

97 points James Suckling: "This amazing Châteauneuf-du-Pape squares the circle of southern richness and spring-like freshness in spite of coming from a very warm and dry vintage. The stony minerality, saltiness and dried flower character wind together to form a dynamic whole, driving this gracefully across the palate. But I must also mention the savory and licorice richness that is so deftly wrapped around them. Very long, salty and velvety finish." (04/2023)

96 points Decanter: "Full, generous and broad. Acids are bright and vibrant, and there's a fine but dense waft of tannins through the wine. Great energy and salinity this year, this is particularly fine and balanced, with plenty of concentration and a long finish. All from La Crau and fermented in tronconic wood barrels. Élevage in foudre. Oldest Grenache bunches aren't destemmed. (MW)" (09/2021)

93-95 points Wine Advocate: "Tasted as a tank sample of the final blend, the 2020 Châteauneuf du Pape La Crau is a blend of approximately 60% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah and 5% other permitted varieties, with about 30% whole bunches used in the ferments. Marked by ripe cherries and hints of complex garrigue notes on the nose, it's full-bodied but also really elegant, with fine-grained, silky tannins, ample concentration and a long, surprisingly crisp finish. (JC)" (05/2022)

94 points Vinous: "The 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau was vinified from partially de-stemmed grapes and aged in foudre. The 2020 La Crau displays pronounced aromas of rose petals, redcurrant, red and black cherry, raspberry, strawberry and hints of smoke. Full-bodied, refined and built like a brick wall, it will reward bottle age. (NG)" (06/2023)

94 points Wine Spectator: "This shows a lot of aromatic appeal, with dusty earth and singed incense notes covering a well of fresh cherry and red currant flavors. A gutsy, grippy style on the palate, with a cast iron spine bringing firm shape and underlying power. Slightly old-school, this still needs time to unfurl. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. (KB)" (11/2023)

94 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape also showed well, with a lighter, elegant style that still brings plenty of intensity. Black cherries, mulberries, dried violets, and loamy earth define the bouquet, and it's medium-bodied, balanced, and finesse-driven on the palate, with ripe tannins as well as a terrific sense of salinity on the finish. Give bottles 3-4 years and enjoy over the following 15+." (11/2022)