Wine Advocate 97+ pts

Time will tell if this wine equals the stellar 2015; it's certainly very close in quality. The 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes is a blend of approximately 75% Grenache, 12% Mourvèdre, 8% Syrah and the rest other permitted varieties. Tarry and deep on the nose, it delivers waves of blackberries and black cherries on the palate, framing those flavors with plenty of richness, layers of silky tannins and a long, elegant finish.

James Suckling 96 pts

There’s a very intense core of dark fruit. A deep, ripe and quite savory palate with spices and dark herbs. Bitter chocolate, too. Real depth and power here. Super-fresh, dark spice and cola give a real spark to the finish. Thrilling. A blend of four old-vine parcels from a variety of soils. 

Vinous 96 pts

Opaque ruby. Powerful, mineral-accented blackberry and cherry aromasare complemented by incense, licorice and potpourri flourishes. Supple,sweet and impressively concentrated, offering palate-staining red and darkberry, cherry liqueur, fruitcake and lavender pastille flavors braced by acore of juicy acidity. Plush yet surprisingly lithe for its brawn, showing asuave floral note and outstanding clarity and velvety tannins on thestrikingly long, smoke- and spice-tinged finish.