Cuvee du Vatican Reserve de l' Abbe Cotes du Rhone Red Wine, France 2023

Robert Parker is a long-time devotee of Cuvée du Vatican (theirs was the first case of Châteauneuf-du-Pape he ever bought—a wine that’s largely credited with launching his decades-long career). The label’s also been a favorite of the papacy since 1958, when Pope John XXIII blessed Cuvée du Vatican. (They still send a case to Rome each year.)

Your taste of the estate is winemaker Jean-Marc Diffonty’s Cuvée du Vatican Réserve de l’Abbé Côtes-du-Rhône. And the elegant 2023 release is tasting better than ever.

It’s a classic Rhône blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, left unoaked to allow all the juicy notes of ripe cherry and strawberry to shine through in your glass. Also look for hints of licorice and wild herb, plus a long, smooth finish. Drinking deliciously now, but don’t be afraid to hide a few bottles away to enjoy over the next few years (we love it with lamb or beef dishes).

Monsieur Diffonty’s a stickler about quality, and only makes limited amounts of his Réserve de l’Abbé—get in now to secure your share.