2018 Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Laurence

While previously Cuvee Laurence was made from a specific barrel selection, today the wine is same blend as the Reserve except it has been aged in barrel for a longer period of time. The grapes are not destemmed, and the natural yeast fermentation is completed in traditional, cement vats before ageing in old, French oak barrels for an average of 40 months.
According to Laurence Feraud, the wine is aged to approximate what might happen with Pegau Reserve after ten years of aging. On average, close to 650 cases are produced each vintage of Domaine du Pegau Cuvee Laurence.
Midnight black dark red core with a dark red hue. Aromas of black cherries and liquorice infused with herbs du Provence are intertwined with scorched earth, dried meat, leather and blackpepper notes. Bold, intensely flavoured and amply endowed, rich black cherry, black raspberry and liquorice flavours meld into a prominent back drop of scorched earth, dried herbs, smoked meats, leather and pepper. Firm muscular tannin structure concluding long and chewy.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.7%

Other Reviews….
The 2018 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Laurence is opulent and sensual, bursting with pungent aromas of raspberry jam, ripe blackberry and black cherry, garrigue, white pepper and crushed rocks. Essentially, this is the same wine as the Cuvée Réservée, but instead of maturing it for two years, Laurence Féraud keeps it locked away for four, leading to more concentration, slightly elevated alcohol and a firmer tannic structure. It concludes with a long-lasting finish. Drink 2023-2043.
95 points
Nicolas Greinacher - Vinous