When the weather cools, it’s officially Châteauneuf-du-Pape season. But wines from the most famous appellation in southern France don't have to cost a fortune. Michel Tardieu of Tardieu-Laurent is a master of silky tannins and finessed concentration across a wide range of wines. His Galets d’Or Châteauneuf is case in point, particularly the stellar 2022 vintage, and it's a relative value at $50. It's also the top scorer in our latest Tasting Highlights lineup.
Meanwhile, Châteauneuf’s famous Château Pégau makes complex, concentrated whites, especially its Châteauneuf cuvées. But its more affordable 2023 Côtes-du-Rhône Cuvée Lône, based on the Clairette grape variety, is a delicious weekday white with a lot of distinctive flavor and lusciousness backed by steely acidity.
This lineup also includes Olivier Ravoire's Châteauneuf-du-Pape Caparaçon 2022, a lush red with blackberry and licorice notes. Read on to get our expert score and full tasting for this Rhône wine and eight others.
Tasting Highlights' wine reviews are fresh out of the tasting room, offering a sneak peek of our editors' most recent ratings—including scores and full tasting notes—to WineSpectator.com members.
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