Famille Isabel Ferrando : Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2020

Approachable out of the gate, with gorgeous red fruit, wild strawberry, licorice root, dusty earth and lavender flavors joined by floral highlights. Beautifully textured and silky on the palate, with mineral intensity building on the palate, imparting nice persistence and length. A polished yet honest, characteristic wine. Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2032. 3,300 cases made, 1,007 cases imported.

2020 marks the debut of Familie Isabel Ferrando, which is a blend of all the estates’ terroirs. 2019 was the final vintage of the single vineyards. The new wine is deep ruby in color. From there you find a spicy nose with notes of clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg, along with all the scents of dark red fruits. On the palate, the wine is ripe, dark, and plummy. You find licorice, ripe dark fruits, chalky tannins, and an opulent, rich character on the palate. One of the deepest wines of the vintage, there is a beautiful sense of purity, symmetry, length, and a touch more of all that spice on the finish. This is so easy to drink now, but you will have a much better experience if you let it age for a few years. Drink from 2025–2045.