Marcoux Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2019

98 points Bettane & Desseauve Guide: "In a style a bit on the margins among the wines of the appellation, which places in the foreground the suppleness of the tannins and a kind of extreme juiciness. Aromatic nuances, elegance, freshness, the Marcoux old vines express themselves here with style. A great impression. (2022)"

97 points Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate): "Marcoux's 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is full-bodied, dense and tannic. Hints of crushed stone and dried garrigue appear on the nose, alongside blackberries and black cherries. It's basically pure foudre-aged Grenache from two lieux-dits—Charbonnières and les Esquierons—although the old vines undoubtedly include the odd interplanted variety. This terrific wine finishes long and silky, with layers of unfolding fruit and spice, including a dash of salted licorice. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes. Drink: 2025-2040. (May 2022)"

97 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Also a true gem of a wine, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes includes all three terroirs of Charbonnière, Esqueirons and Galimardes and is all Grenache. It’s a ripe, opulent, incredibly sexy wine that’s just about overflowing with notes of raspberries, blueberries, Provençal herbs, violets, and flowers. It’s a big, exuberant Grenache offering sweet tannins, a broad, mouth-filling texture, no hard edges, and a great finish. Give it a few years and enjoy over the following two decades. Drink: 2023-2033. (11/3/21)"

97 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): "[$180 list] Saturated ruby. A heady, impressively complex bouquet evokes ripe red fruits, candied flowers, garrigue and incense, along with exotic spice and mineral notes that build with air. Utterly stains the palate with vibrant raspberry liqueur, cherry cola, licorice and fruitcake flavors that are sharpened by a jolt of spiciness on the back half. Polished tannins add gentle grip to the strikingly long, floral-dominated finish, which shows no rough edges. Drink: 2026-2038. (Oct 2021)"

97 points Wine Spectator: "[$180 list] This is marked by a gorgeously pure core of kirsch and raspberry reduction flavors, which are laced with rooibos tea, singed balsam wood, dried anise, garrigue and warm stone notes. Extremely long, with a singular focal point to the finish as everything is pulled together by finely beaded acidity. A terrific wine. Best from 2025 through 2040. 480 cases made, 120 cases imported. (2/28/22)"

97 points La Revue du Vin de France: "Vieilles Vignes displays this dimension of very lush Grenache, capable of living well. (2023)"

97 points/'Editors' Choice,' Wine Enthusiast: "[$180 list] Old vines of Grenache, averaging 55 to 110 years of age, distinguish this ripe yet nuanced wine. Matured 18 months in neutral oak, it offers black-plum and preserved-raspberry flavors that are richly concentrated but pure. Speckled with hints of licorice and smoke, it's a feathery, sumptuous sip with a long, lifted finish. Approachable young, the wine should improve well past 2040. (May 2022)"

96 points Matt Walls (Decanter): "Touch of liquorice behind the damson and plum fruit. This has searing intensity, very high acidity with fine tannins and a good internal framework. The alcohol is high, but the other elements are even more prominent. Very long. 3,900 bottles made. 120-year-old vines planted on north-facing clay and sand lieux-dits of Charbonnières and Esquières. Fermented in concrete, aged in foudre. Drinking Window: 2027-2045. (Oct 2020)"