2015 Mas de Boislauzon Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Tintot

I applaud wineries that try to do things a little differently, and I think Mourvèdre has a huge role to play in Châteauneuf du Pape. That said, the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Le Tintot (85% Mourvèdre, the rest Grenache) is slightly overripe to my tastes, with dark, dried-fruit flavors and alcoholic warmth both in evidence. The tannins are rich and supple, but the spice cake, prune and date flavors lack freshness and length.

(raised in neutral oak barrels and concrete tanks) Youthful purple. Ripe dark berry and vanilla aromas are enlivened by white pepper and clove. Oak-spiced blackberry, cherry-vanilla, floral pastille and licorice flavors gain lift from tangy acidity and show very good depth. Sweet and seamless on the youthfully tannic finish, which emphatically repeats the vanilla note. The lumber here is making a very strong statement at this point, but based on this bottling's track record, I'm confident that it will resolve itself in due time. -- Josh Raynolds Review Date: March 2017