Strong ruby ??garnet, violet reflections, broader ocher edge brightening. Red cherry fruit underlaid with delicate herbal spices, a hint of fresh figs, delicately reminiscent of liquorice and tangerine zest, with a touch of vanilla and nougat. Powerful, very complex, delicately sweet fruit, ripe plums, present, ripe tannins, great length and mineral notes on the finish, a hint of roasted aromas, lingers for minutes, potential for decades.

Another terrific effort from this estate, the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Deus Ex Machina shares a sense of elegance with its vintage stablemate, the La Combe des Fous. Kirsch, stone fruit, black cherries, licorice, pomegranate…the list could go on and on. And while the wine is undeniably full-bodied, it doesn't come across as heavy or hot, instead being built on a lacy, silky structure of fine tannins and rounded acids that linger on the finish.

As always, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Deus-Ex Machina checks in as a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre that saw the Grenache aged all in concrete tanks and the Mourvèdre new barrels. This richer, full-bodied, meaty 2018 boasts a fabulous mid-palate as well as a complex nose of cured meats, toasted spices, peppery garrigue, loamy earth, blackcurrants, and blackberries. It certainly displays the more forward, seamless style of the vintage, yet still brings plenty of power and richness as well as length on the finish. It’s beautifully done yet unquestionably a more forward, approachable vintage for this cuvée. Give bottles 1-2 years in the cellar and enjoy over the following 15 years or so.

Alluring, with gently mulled Damson and raspberry notes infused with black tea, incense and garrigue accents. Subtle mineral edge adds length to the finish while pulling everything together nicely. Grenache and Mourvèdre. Best from 2021 through 2033.