Domaine Tour Saint-Michel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Le Clocher St-Michel

2 hour decant. Nose of black cherry, tulips, kirsch, and a cough drop note. Black cherry, iron, dilute coffee, black peppered salumi, and light garrigue on the palate. The intense and tangy plum compote on the finish is a bit of a surprise, with the tannins and pepper taking a back seat until the strong oak kicks in at the end. Seems likely to be at its peak but we like this style younger than some do.

PnP. Nose of spiced dark cherries, Christmas cookie dough, and tarragon. Smooth red fruit, round river stones, dried cherries, dried red flowers and a touch of kirsch. Broad tannins, cherry compote, bloody meat, and lots of minerals and white pepper. Shows the 14.5% alcohol throughout, but its a nice fruit-driven CdP.

60 minute decant. Nose of chocolate, red cherries, and raspberry liqueur. Earthy dark cherry palate with cocoa powder and iron showing itself before fading into fluffy tannins, kirsch, smoked meat notes, and lingering oak.

Still stellar. Licorice, black olives, blackberry and cherry fruit. Silky texture. Tannins are starting to soften up even more and it's throwing some sediment. The oakiness is also calming down.

Delicioso, fragante, complejo. Abunda la fruta roja madura. Muy expresivo y sedoso. Reservar por lo menos 2 años mas: aun le falta algo de integracion.

Big, juicy, textured body. Loads of black cherry fruit and black olive over a background of vanilla and spices. Tannins are very smooth and supple. Young but giving lots of pleasure with its fruity baby fat.

Floral in nature with loads of ripe, lusciously textured red cherries, olives, herbs and spice, the wine finishes with touches of espresso, smoke, olives, peppery herbs and dark cherries. You should give this a few years in the cellar for everything to come together. Drink from 2023 - 2034