Christophe Mestre and his wife are from old Châteauneuf du Pape families. Like many such families, their vines are in plots scattered across the town’s remarkably diverse terroir. The Mestres makes a single red cuvée from these terroirs, seeking an expression of the appellation as a whole. It’s always delicious, and always well priced.
Mestre’s just arrived 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is rich and beautiful, with lush fruit and an easy, appealing texture. The Wine Advocate awarded 91 points, calling it “an attractive effort” with “softly dusty tannins” and a “silky impression on the full-bodied palate.” We agree, and think this should offer pure, uncomplicated delight for the next five years. Some Châteauneuf requires years of patience to reach its potential – Mestre’s is delicious today.
The nose explodes with ripe strawberry fruit and a pleasant cool earthiness. Despite a blistering hot year, Christophe managed to build tannins behind the fruit beautifully, and this wine is well defined and not the least bit flabby. With chilly weather here for a while, this is as useful and cozy as a new pair of wool socks.
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Mestre Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2020
bottle price: $35
FREE EAST COAST SHIPPING ON ANY 12 BOTTLES