Domaine Paul Autard, Cuvée la Côte Ronde 2021 – Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The wine has a ruby color of medium intensity. The nose is fruity, generous, with lots of juicy fruits, sweetness and gourmandise. It expresses the aromas of plum cream, crushed morello cherry, cherry in chocolate, strawberry jam, crushed wild strawberry, raspberry jam and crème de cassis. On the second nose, we sense pronounced aromas of torrefaction (toasted hazelnut, toasted bitter almond, toasted wood, coffee, smoke), as well as aromas of Mediterranean herbs (dried bay leaf, dried thyme, garrigue), peppermint, sweet spices (liquorice, with a touch of star anise, crushed fennel seeds, crushed coriander seeds, nutmeg), dark chocolate and coconut (in the background). The palate is juicy, with a silky and gourmand attack. The wine first expresses the aromas of chocolate morello cherry, plum cream, crushed blackcurrant, crushed raspberry, wild strawberry, associated with notes of liquorice, nutmeg, crushed coriander seeds, vanilla (in the background), toasted hazelnut, bitter almond and aromatic herbs (dried peppermint, dried rosemary, dried bay leaf, garrigue). The finish is persistent, chocolatey, dense and enveloping. We find the aromas of prunes in chocolate and cherry in kirsch. The tannins are melted, silky, but solid and structured. The texture in the mouth is supple, with chewiness and volume, but without heaviness, thanks to a salivating acidity and a slight bitterness of chocolate on the persistence. The acidity is integrated, salivating and quite fresh. A slight balsamic touch on the finish.