La Grosse Pierre (Passot) Chiroubles La Grosse Pierre 2018

92 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "Domaine La Grosse Pierre is a relative newcomer in the firmament of Beaujolais, though winegrower Pauline Passot’s family has been vignerons in Chiroubles for generations. However, Pauline came to winemaking by a circuitous professional route and only started her own domaine in the 2016 vintage. She now produces four distinct bottlings of Chiroubles (as well as a bit of Fleurie and Morgon), with her la Grosse Pierre bottling taking its name from her primary vineyard parcel, which is planted with forty-five year-old vines. Her cellar regimen is classic Beaujolais, with whole cluster carbonic fermentation and aging in cement vats. Her 2018 la Grosse Pierre is a lovely wine, offering up a deep and black fruity nose of black cherries, pomegranate, woodsmoke, gamebird, fresh thyme and a fine base of soil tones. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and nicely plush on the attack, with a fine core, tangy acids, a bit of backend tannin and lovely focus and grip on the long and complex finish. This comes in listed at 12.5 percent octane, but seems a bit riper than this, though still impressively bright and bouncy on the backend. 2020-2030. (Jan/Feb 2020)"

91 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): "Vivid ruby-red. Expressive, spice-tinged red and blue fruit and floral scents are lifted by a zesty mineral note and a hint of allspice. Palate-caressing black raspberry and boysenberry flavors show fine clarity and spread out steadily on the back half. Finishes sappy, sweet and very long, with subtle earth and floral pastille notes lingering. Drink: 2022-2029. (Aug 2021)"

91 points Andy Howard, MW (Decanter): "A beautifully light, elegant, Chiroubles which lives up to the AOP's reputation as the 'most Beaujolais' of the Crus. Bright, crisp, red-cherry fruit flavours make this initially seem to be a light, easy-drinking Chiroubles but then the tannins start to appear, suggesting this will age well for several years. Very well put together with freshness matched with concentration. Impressive for the price. Drinking Window: 2021-2025. (Mar 2021)"

90 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "I underestimated the 2018 Chiroubles La Grosse Pierre when I tasted it not long after it had been bottled, and six months later, it's performing very well. Mingling aromas of black cherries and blackberries with hints of cracked pepper and herbs, the wine is medium to full-bodied, supple and elegantly fleshy, with succulent acids, melting tannins and a seamless profile. Drink: 2020-2030. (May 2020)"