Domaine Tour Saint-Michel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee du Lion, Rhone, France 2017

Description

The 2017 Domaine Tour Saint-Michel Cuvée du Lion Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a bold yet composed Rhône blend that captures both the warmth of the vintage and the domaine’s traditional style. The nose is immediately expressive, offering ripe black cherry, plum, and blackberry layered with garrigue, black pepper, licorice, and a touch of leather.

On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and textured, with rounded tannins and a core of dark fruit balanced by savory herbal notes and gentle spice. Despite its power, there’s a sense of freshness that keeps it from feeling heavy, carrying through to a long, earthy finish. This is a confident, hearty Châteauneuf that’s drinking well now with air, but has the structure to continue evolving over the next several years.