2019 Domaine Pegau 'Cuvée Réservée' Châteauneuf-du-Pape
This has enough upfront appeal that it’ll be tough to resist, so better have a few backup bottles hidden around – it should evolve nicely over the next decade plus. Full-bodied and charming, the plummy fruit and truckloads of black cherry flavors are easy to enjoy, especially backed by subtle licorice and peppery herbs. 80% Grenache rounded out with Syrah, Mourvedre, and a secret mix of other AOC allowed varietals (fruit that would have gone into the extraordinary Cuvee da Capo had it been made that year), there is a delicious hint of mystery here – drink in all the details!
Wine Advocate
The 2019 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Réservée looks set to rival the best examples of this bottling. Made up of approximately 80% Grenache, with 6% Syrah, 4% Mourvèdre and smaller amounts of other permitted varieties, it's impressively complex on the nose, with scents of black cherries, blackberries and black olives, plus mysterious wafts of violets and garrigue. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, it finishes long and velvety, a sure-fire bet for cellaring.
James Suckling
This youthful Chateauneuf has a very complex nose of graphite, raw meat and lilies. With aeration the black-cherry note steadily grows in intensity. Bold, leathery and earthy palate with fine tannins that build steadily on at the extremely long and straight mineral finish.
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Réservée showed better this go-round than last year and has a complex, more classic style in its garrigue, pepper, sweet spice, and assorted red and black fruits. Nicely textured and medium to full-bodied, with ripe tannins, it's going to be a classic expression of this cuvée that readers will love.
Wine Spectator
Dark and brooding, this has serious heft, with tightly coiled plum reduction and black licorice offset by savory tea, menthol, smoked meat and iodine. A great example of an old-school style, with mineral intensity building and salty iron and grippy tannins carrying the finish. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre.