97 points/'Highly Recommended,' Wine Spectator: "Intense, with a Turkish coffee note out front before the core of steeped plum, black cherry and fig fruit starts to unfurl, while extra hints of singed alder, garrigue and warm earth develop, adding length and range on the finish. Delivers muscular power and perfumed grace that work together perfectly. Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Best from 2022 through 2040. (12/31/20)"
97 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Strong ruby colour with purple reflections, lightening to ochre at the rim. A fine herbal and wood-tinged savouriness supports red fruits of the forest, redcurrant, and a hint of tangerine zest. Complex, vibrant and juicy with ripe plum flavours and a subtle hint of nougat on the long finish. Has plenty of meat on its bones. Good ageing potential. (4/11/22)"
96 points Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate): "Boasting the darkest fruit of the three 2018s from Saint-Préfert, the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Collection Charles Giraud delivers notes of black cherries and dark chocolate, plus hints of wintergreen, cassia bark and baking spices. It's full-bodied but less expansive on the palate than the others, compact and dense without being heavy or overdone, and it's framed by ripe but supportive tannins. Mexican chocolate and cola notes linger elegantly on the lasting finish. Drink: 2021-2035. (Sep 2020)"
96 points Matt Walls (Decanter): "Lovely vibrant nose, the Mourvèdre really makes itself known. Very full-bodied and flowing on the palate, but it's backed up by amazing vibrancy of fruit and a deep-set vein of salinity that accentuates the freshness further. Finishes long and vibrant, like a peacock's tail. Vines are 80 years old, grown mostly on galets roulés over blue clay. The Grenache is not destemmed. Fermented in concrete tanks, then aged for 18 months in demi-muids. Drinking Window: 2021-2040. (Oct 2020)"
96 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): "[$137/750ml list] Saturated ruby. Highly expressive, mineral-accented cherry and dark berry liqueur, cola, licorice and potpourri scents are complemented by an exotic spice nuance. Broad and fleshy in the mouth, offering deeply concentrated black raspberry, boysenberry and bitter cherry flavors that become sweeter and more lively as the wine opens up. Shows excellent clarity and floral lift and finishes extremely long and spicy, with steadily building tannins adding closing grip. Drink: 2026-2036. (Oct 2021)"
95+ points Jeb Dunnuck: "Lastly, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Collection Charles Giraud is a more Mourvèdre driven wine and is 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre, from 80-year-old vines, that was only partially destemmed and brought up all in demi-muids. Ruby/purple-hued with gorgeous crème de cassis and black cherry fruits as well as notes of smoked meats, white chocolate, ground pepper, and candied violets, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless, silky texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a great, great finish. As with the other 2018s here, it’s pure class. It can be drunk today or cellared for 15+ years. Drink: 2020-2035. (10/6/20)"
97 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Strong ruby colour with purple reflections, lightening to ochre at the rim. A fine herbal and wood-tinged savouriness supports red fruits of the forest, redcurrant, and a hint of tangerine zest. Complex, vibrant and juicy with ripe plum flavours and a subtle hint of nougat on the long finish. Has plenty of meat on its bones. Good ageing potential. (4/11/22)"
96 points Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate): "Boasting the darkest fruit of the three 2018s from Saint-Préfert, the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Collection Charles Giraud delivers notes of black cherries and dark chocolate, plus hints of wintergreen, cassia bark and baking spices. It's full-bodied but less expansive on the palate than the others, compact and dense without being heavy or overdone, and it's framed by ripe but supportive tannins. Mexican chocolate and cola notes linger elegantly on the lasting finish. Drink: 2021-2035. (Sep 2020)"
96 points Matt Walls (Decanter): "Lovely vibrant nose, the Mourvèdre really makes itself known. Very full-bodied and flowing on the palate, but it's backed up by amazing vibrancy of fruit and a deep-set vein of salinity that accentuates the freshness further. Finishes long and vibrant, like a peacock's tail. Vines are 80 years old, grown mostly on galets roulés over blue clay. The Grenache is not destemmed. Fermented in concrete tanks, then aged for 18 months in demi-muids. Drinking Window: 2021-2040. (Oct 2020)"
96 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): "[$137/750ml list] Saturated ruby. Highly expressive, mineral-accented cherry and dark berry liqueur, cola, licorice and potpourri scents are complemented by an exotic spice nuance. Broad and fleshy in the mouth, offering deeply concentrated black raspberry, boysenberry and bitter cherry flavors that become sweeter and more lively as the wine opens up. Shows excellent clarity and floral lift and finishes extremely long and spicy, with steadily building tannins adding closing grip. Drink: 2026-2036. (Oct 2021)"
95+ points Jeb Dunnuck: "Lastly, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Collection Charles Giraud is a more Mourvèdre driven wine and is 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre, from 80-year-old vines, that was only partially destemmed and brought up all in demi-muids. Ruby/purple-hued with gorgeous crème de cassis and black cherry fruits as well as notes of smoked meats, white chocolate, ground pepper, and candied violets, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless, silky texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a great, great finish. As with the other 2018s here, it’s pure class. It can be drunk today or cellared for 15+ years. Drink: 2020-2035. (10/6/20)"
| Product SKU | 341516 |
| Producer | St. Préfert |
| Country | France |
| Region | Rhône |
| SubRegion | Southern Rhône |
| Appellation | Châteauneuf-du-Pape |
| Varietal | Rhone Blends - Red |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Size | 1.5L |
| Color | Red |
| Blend | 60% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre |
| ABV | 15.0% |
| Ships To |
