Domaine Berthet-Rayne, Les Cigalons, AOP Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 2023

A black-purple, opaque pour. The nose shows medium-intensity aromas of chicory root, grilled red apple, black olive tapenade, olive oil, grilled and brandied prune and iron filings. The palate is dry, has a low but adequate acidity, a medium-plus extract, medium-plus super fine textured tannins, a medium-plus body with a cushy, plush mouthfeel, quite a long presence and a nice fruit coating, black olive tapenade, olive oil, tar, smoke, chicory root, brandied prune, and a medium-plus finish. Fruit is still coiled up but there, and the wine has a long presence on the palate. 2025-2032–IR