Tasting notes on the principal bottlings of the southern Rhône's most famous name, Châteauneuf-du-Pape. For a more detailed review of the southern Rhône in 2017, see this overview article. Cuvées Spéciales follow tomorrow. See also this guide to published and forthcoming articles on this vintage in the Rhône Valley.
The warm 2017 vintage in Châteauneuf-du-Pape produced concentrated, ripe fruit in excellent hygienic condition – but sometimes exacerbated the appellation's perennial problems: over-extracted, overripe fruit with hot alcohol and excessive oak. The best producers achieve balance, of course, so while the potentially outstanding quality of 2017 Châteauneuf is not in question, it...