This is a delicious Chateaneuf du Pape was a gift to me for my birthday. This CDP comes from the Cuvee Du Vatican vineyard, owned by the Diffonty family,  that was christened such in 1958, with the blessing of Pope Saint John xxiii. The Diffonty family is an long standing family in the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation from 1673. A common mistake, one I made, was thinking that this wine was created specifically for the Vatican. Blessed, yes, served there, I don’t think so.

That said, this wine is a deliciously blustery blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and Cinsault. This wine is rich with figs, black plums, and tart cherries. A few moments later, there is fast moving acid that coats the tongue, which is kind of interesting. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced anything quite like that. I opened this wine the same night, and it’s changed rapidly, within a few hours. The last time I tasted it, it was beautiful, dark and mysterious, with brown sugar, maple, black cherries and charcuterie spice. This wine is a coin with two sides, evolving fast.