One of the best we’ve had in years is from the iconic La Bastide Saint Dominique, one of the top properties taking advantage of the amazing terroir of Pignan in Chateauneuf’s northeastern most quadrant. Located adjacent to the iconic Chateau Rayas, as we all know, cooler is better these days, especially when it comes to the sun-loving Grenache grape. Let it bask too long out there and you get a 16% monsterpiece but, in Pignan, even in a powerhouse vintage like 2020, the vines for this all-Grenache cuvee, planted in 1920, were harvested under ideal conditions and turned out not only better-behaved but loaded with lifted aromatics and a purity of character we’ve never seen in this wine before. It makes for an impressive base layer of unctuous black plum- cherry confit fruit, whiffs of white pepper and chocolate mint but also cooler florals, lifted mineral and olive tapenade. Everything about this wine seems turned up to 11 and, even without any wood, it is just gorgeously textured. While calling it ‘elegant’ might be an overstatement, there is a certain grace and finesse here in a wine that is totally at ease with its 15% ABV. It will drink well not only now, but throughout what I would anticipate to be a long life. We’ve been fans of the Bastide’s wines for years now, but this is the most exciting wine yet! 

Jeb Dunnuck: The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Secrets De Pignan is all Grenache and comes from an incredible terroir just beside Rayas. Brought up entirely in stainless steel, it offers a deeper ruby/plum color as well as fabulous notes of black raspberries, Morello cherries, sandalwood, Provençal garrigue, and dried flowers. It brings beautiful depth of fruit on the palate, has full-bodied richness, sweet tannins, and a great finish. It's another brilliant 2020 that readers will love to drink any time over the coming 15 years or more. 95-97 points

Wine Advocate: All Grenache from the sandy soils of Pignan (Nord), with élevage in stainless steel, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Secrets de Pignan is a prodigious effort. Boasting bombastic aromas of black cherries, licorice and black olives, this full-bodied wine is concentrated and rich and needs additional time in the bottle, as it's marked by dusty tannins on the lingering finish. 95+ points

Decanter: Silky and flowing, an elegant style of wine that's concentrated and fresh with fragrant thyme and black cherry flavours and a long finish that is focused with sweet tannin. The alcohol is high - it's 100% Grenache after all - but the wine remains remarkably balanced. 6,000 bottles made. South-facing Grenache vines planted in 1920 on sand in lieu-dit Pignan, fermented and then matured in stainless steel for 18 months. 96 points