55% Grenache, 18% Syrah, 12% Mourve`dre, 10% Cinsault and 5% Carignan, from Yannick Alliaud’s 50 year-old vines in Châteauneuf de Gadagne, just 20km south of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. De-stemmed, macerated on skins for more than 4 weeks and fermented in concrete tanks. Matured in old oak casks and 600 litre demi-muids for 18 months. Unfined and unfiltered.
‘Coming from very old vines and similar rocky, pebbly soils as La Crau in Châteauneuf Du Pape, the 2018 Vin de France Liberty is a beautiful, elegant wine that shows the soft, forward style of the vintage. Blackberries, violets, pepper, and some earthy meatiness all emerge from this medium-bodied, concentrated and elegant red. It's beautifully balanced and certainly competes with plenty of Châteauneuf Du Pape. Give it a year or two.’
90-92 points
Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com