The 2017 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Laurence was set to be bottled in November 2021, just after my visit. It boasts restrained aromas of leather, plum and garrigue but compensates for the slightly more sedate aromatics with a supple, complete and rounded feel on the palate. It's full-bodied, silky and long, ready to drink on release or anytime over the next decade and a half.
James Suckling (97)
Enveloping, warm and spicy nose with an extremely wide spectrum of aromas, ranging from dried rose to graphite via thyme and smoked bacon. Very powerful, concentrated and earthy, yet there’s brightness in there that makes it shine, Stunningly fine tannins power the super-long finish.
BOW (8.50)
Jeb Dunnuck (93)
Lastly, and a classic expression of the cuvée, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Laurence is a longer aged version of the classic Châteauneuf du Pape. It offers a wild array of peppery garrigue, herbes de Provence, saddle leather, and spices in a medium to full-bodied, rich, mouth-filling style. It has plenty of chewy tannins, but I suspect it will shine right out of the gate.
Vinous (95)
The 2018 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Laurence is opulent and sensual, bursting with pungent aromas of raspberry jam, ripe blackberry and black cherry, garrigue, white pepper and crushed rocks. Essentially, this is the same wine as the Cuvée Réservée, but instead of maturing it for two years, Laurence Féraud keeps it locked away for four, leading to more concentration, slightly elevated alcohol and a firmer tannic structure. It concludes with a long-lasting finish.
