Sabon/Roger Châteauneuf-du-Pape Le Secret des Sabon 2019

100 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The tiny production 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Secret Des Sabon is a field blend of mostly Grenache brought up all in wooden tronconique barrels. It's closest in style to the Prestige Cuvée yet brings another level of opulence and richness without losing any sense of elegance or class. Blackberries, peppery herbs, graphite, crushed violets, and a liquid rock-like minerality all define the nose, and it hits the palate with incredible depth of fruit, full-bodied richness, and ripe yet building tannins. While the acidity is technically quite low (the pH is 3.8), it holds onto an undeniable sense of freshness and purity. It is just a thrilling, magical wine from this estate. While young and unevolved, with 3-5 years of cellaring required, it is a modern-day legend capable of evolving for over two decades. Drink: 2024-2040. (11/3/21)"

100 points Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate): "Although it had only been a year or two since I last tasted it, I couldn't turn down a chance to retry the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape le Secret de Sabon. This time, it was singing even more impressively than the last, with hints of asphalt giving way to wonderfully ripe black cherries on the nose. Full-bodied, rich, creamy, lush and intense, it's a powerful wine but one that also manages to be elegant, finishing long and velvety, with mocha and cocoa-powder shadings. It's a terrific marriage of power and elegance. Drink: 2025-2040. (5/16/24)"

100 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "The best vintage of Le Secret des Sabon since the otherworldly 2001, this is exciting from the moment the wine hits your glass due to its incredible nose packed with flowers, black and red fruits, herbs, peppery spices and thyme. The magic however is on the palate. There is weight, density and, concentration. Even with its wealth of fruit, the wine remains elegant, refined, silky, opulent, balanced, fresh and effortless to drink. The wine is made from seriously old vine Grenache, from mostly old vines that are more than 100 years of age. Clearly, this is in contention for one of the wines of the vintage. Drink from 2028 - 2040. (Jan 2022)"

96 points Matt Walls (Decanter): "Very dark, powerful, slightly tarry and roasted with a very intense - almost too intense - acidity. Surprisingly dark for Grenache on sandy soils, extremely concentrated. A driving, focussed, mineral expression that will take some time to reach its peak. Long finish. 3,000 bottles made. Mostly grown on sand, fermented in stainless steel, then aged in tronconic wooden vats. Drinking Window: 2022-2045. 95% Grenache. (Oct 2020)"

96 points Wine Spectator: "[$217 list] Juicy, dense and packed, yet remarkably defined, with a mix of plum and racy-edged blackberry, boysenberry and raspberry reduction flavors, all laced with a licorice snap thread. Black tea, garrigue and humus accents underscore the finish as the fruit sails through with aplomb. A beauty. Drink now through 2038. 125 cases made, 42 cases imported. (8/18/21)"

96 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): "[$217 list] Shimmering ruby. Powerful, mineral-accented black raspberry and cherry liqueur aromas are complemented by incense, licorice and potpourri flourishes. Juicy, sweet and impressively concentrated, offering palate-staining red/blue fruit, spicecake and lavender pastille flavors braced by a spine of juicy acidity. Brawny yet surprisingly lithe as well, showing outstanding clarity and youthfully chewy tannins on the strikingly long, floral and spice-tinged finish. Drink: 2027-2037. (Oct 2021)"

96 points/'Le Coup de Coeur,' La Revue du Vin de France: "Secret des Sabon is one of the finest expressions of Grenache, with an oriental aspect of rosewater and ispahan, mixed with spices. Beautiful concentration, with the harmonious taste we've come to expect from this cuvee. (2022)"