Rotem & Mournir Saouma ' Arioso' Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2019

Smoldering incense and salty iron share the stage with ripe red fruit and a lacquer of toasty cedar in this polished, expertly crafted red, which is texturally stunning, with extremely fine tannins effortlessly carrying the weight. The oak signature will continue to fade into the backdrop with a bit of cellaring, and the powerful, tightly wound core of graphite and fruit will unfurl, so patience will be rewarded. Beautiful and complex. - Wine Spectator, 96 pts

All Grenache from a north-facing parcel in Pignan, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Arioso spent three years in a combination of pièces and puncheons. Yes, the result does have certain cedary overtones, but it also boasts black cherries and hints of strawberries. It's full-bodied and intense, with an expansive mouthfeel and plentiful tannins, finishing dusty and long. With its combination of bold fruit and firm structure, it seems destined for a long evolution in the cellar. - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94(+) pts