Marcoux Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2020

97-99 points Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate): "Still in foudre working through the last few grams of sugar when I tasted it in July 2022, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes showcases bold black-cherry fruit that virtually knocked this taster's head backwards. It's full-bodied on the palate, building in intensity and complexity on the lengthy finish, where notes of raspberries, star anise and garrigue merge seamlessly into the wine's supple, velvety texture. Drink: 2023-2045. (10/12/23)"

98 points La Revue du Vin de France: "The Cuvée Vieilles Vignes [2020] asserts the sweetness of Grenache, but here again, the sensation is juicy rather than heavy. A full, smooth wine with no imbalance. Ten years ago, this cuvee would not have had the same sparkle. (2024)"

97 points Jeb Dunnuck: "One of the world’s greatest expressions of Grenache year-in and year-out, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is all varietal that was brought up in larger foudre. This cuvée comes from the Charbonnieres and Les Esqueirons lieux-dits, which are mostly more sandy soils. Its deeper purple color is followed by a concentrated, medium to full-bodied, powerful yet elegant Grenache offering ripe cherry and darker berry fruits, notes of ground pepper, garrigue, and licorice, ripe yet certainly present tannins, and a great finish. Reminding me slightly of the 2006, which is drinking brilliantly today, it’s going to offer incredible pleasure over its lengthy life. Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following two decades. Drink: 2024-2045. (11/11/22)"

97 points Nicolas Greinacher (Vinous): "A towering effort, the 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes soars from the glass with pristine crème de cassis, raspberry jam, black plum, scorched earth, incense, mint, exotic spice and white pepper aromas. The precision of the individual perfumes has a laser-like quality rarely seen in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Full-bodied and framed by ever-so-velvety tannins, it reaches a spherical dimension in the mouth. The recent adoption of 3,000-liter Austrian oak barrels beautifully contributed to the shape of this wine, giving it terrific poise and tension. Drink: 2026-2042. (Jun 2023)"

97 points Matt Walls (Decanter): "Impressive depth of colour for the vintage, this is extremely round, fresh, clear and well-defined. Tannins are present and fairly strict in style, but they're ripe, and all in all this is exceptionally promising. Not huge in fruit or body, but well-balanced and precise. from 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: 2030-2042. (Oct 2021)"

96 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Strong ruby colour with purple reflections. Finely spiced black forest berry fruit, nuances of blackberries and liquorice, tobacco notes, nougat and orange zest in the background. Deep, juicy, sweet figs, ripe plums, ripe, supporting tannins, chocolaty touch on the finish. Robust and with length. Secure ageing potential for a good many years. (4/20/23)"