2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes

Sisters Catherine Armenier and Sophie Estevinen, along with Estevinen’s son Vincent, produced what might be the finest wines of the appellation in 2016. They are definitely on my very short list of the vintage’s superstars and should be at the top of every Châteauneuf lover’s shopping list, or at least their maybe-if-I-hit-Lotto wish list. The Vieilles Vignes bottling, in particular, was a standout for me this spring. Raised entirely in concrete and sourced from Grenache vines that range from 98 to 110 years of age, it’s a wine that will deliver immense pleasure soon after release and, based on my experience with older vintages, never really close up. Unfortunately, it’s rare and, predictably, expensive, but the “basic” Châteauneuf 2016 measures up favorable with plenty of domaines’ reserve bottlings, making it a truly outstanding value.