Domaine Paul Autard – Cuvée La Côte Ronde 2018 – Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The nose is elegant, very finely tight and offers intensity, deepness. This wine should be decanted. It reveals notes of pulpy/juicy blackberry, juicy/pulpy raspberry, small notes of juicy/ripe bigarreau cherry associated with touches of violet, grey pepper, thyme flowers as well as hints of crushed small fruits, fine hints of black olive, cardamom, sense of the place, toasted and sweet spices. The palate is fruity, juicy, elegant, racy, beautifully defined and offers a very fine verticality, precision, a small aerial side, tension, a beautiful finesse of the guideline as well as a juicy/pulpy beautiful fruit and a very fine acidulous frame. On the palate this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy cassis, pulpy/juicy raspberry, small notes of small juicy/crushed black fruits associated with small touches of juicy/pulpy blueberry, pulpy/juicy cherry as well as hints of cherry blossom, pink laurel, very fine hints of sense of the place, toasted, tonka bean, spices, a discreet hint of Sichuan pepper, tea and an imperceptible hint of vanilla (in the background). A wine full of elegance, gourmandize and on the fruit. Congrats!