2020 Domaine Isabel Ferrando, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Terroirs Saint Prefert 6x75cl

Jeb Dunnuck 95-97

The first vintage for this single cuvée, which in the past would have made the two special cuvées of Domaine Saint-Préfert, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape checks in as a blend of 75% Grenache and the rest Cinsault, Mourvèdre, and a splash of Syrah. Its deep ruby/plum hue is followed by a more reticent, full-bodied, powerful wine offering serious black fruits as well as notes of crushed stone, roasted herbs, licorice, and graphite. It’s another stunning wine from this estate that savvy readers will snatch up. It’s going to need 3-5 years of bottle age to show its true potential, but it’s a brilliant wine. [21/11/2021]

Robert Parker 93-95

Isabel Ferrando informed me during my visit that she planned to eliminate the Reserve Auguste Favier and Collection Charles Giraud bottlings, folding those lots and the “tradition” Saint-Prefert Châteauneuf into a single, combined wine under the Famille Isabel Ferrando label. The resulting blend she showed as the 2020 Famille Isabel Ferrando Chateauneuf du Pape is a fine effort, with layers of cola-like spice and hints of garrigue layered against a lush backdrop of cherries and raspberries. Medium to full-bodied and almost creamy in texture, it finishes long, silky and mouthwatering. [05/05/2022]

Anticipated maturity: 2023-2033