WOW. What a day yesterday was…a world tour of deals drained. Along with a lot of coffee.

Fire up another pot because as Freddie Mercury would say, the show must go on.

How about we keep things chill today with this “already gluggable” CdP? Fallstaff’s words, not ours. Though we fully agree and will now be using “gluggable” liberally from now on.

And you can glug and chug your way to the bottom of the bottle for under $50. For a LIBRARY gem from the Rhône and with a couple of 94-point raves, the world tour of deals continues!

And not just any ‘ol Rhône. Per Jeb Dunnuck “The team of the Cazes family has done wonders with this estate, and they continue to deliver incredible quality…”

THE Cazes? The owners of Châteaux Lynch-Bages? Haut-Batailley? Ormes de Pez? Yes. Straight royalty in our world. The heiress of the Cazes family, Kinou, visited HQ last year. And that’s how we heard about their conquest into Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Where they bring the same obsession with quality, attention to detail, and deliciousness.

Wine Advocate has the background, “This historic estate was purchased by the Cazes family of Bordeaux fame in 2006, an acquisition that rocked this insular world at the time, notable for the price paid and the outsider status of the purchaser. Perhaps driven in part by that notoriety, the pursuit of ever-higher quality has been a constant over the course of their ownership. Throughout it all, Bernard Tranchecoste has presided as the estate’s technical director. He arrived at the property in 1998 and assumed his current role in 2001.”

Domaine des Sénéchaux is all about the vineyards, as Wine Spectator points out “located on the same plateau as the famous La Crau parcel. (The sites feature the appellation’s well-known rolled-stone terroir.) Evident in the (still) vivid color, the stunning nose that perfectly marries the purity of a freshly picked basket of wild berries with spice, earth, and a touch of telltale “garrigue” gaminess. The texture on the palate is where it truly shines, full, with resolved silky tannins, all enveloped in a seemingly sweet spine of red and black fruit and vibrant acidity. This decidedly exotic CdP is the stuff of dreams.

Dreams aside, it’s time to wake up and grab some before it goes Châteauneuf-du-POOF.

94 Points – Jeb Dunnuck “The 2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape checks in as 48% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 22% Mourvèdre brought up largely in foudres, with small amounts in old barrels and concrete tanks. Deeply colored (more so than normal) with powerful notes of blackberries, currants, ground pepper, leafy herbs, and hints of seaweed wrappers (think sushi wrappers), it hits the palate with a full-bodied, concentrated, powerful style that carries polished tannins, ample fruit, and a great finish. Marking a subtle shift in style here, this red will benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age. Drink 2022-2034.”

94 Points – Falstaff “Deep garnet with ochre reflections and subtle rim brightening. Delicate floral background with notes of black berry fruit, a hint of ripe plum, some nougat and candied orange zest, an inviting bouquet. Juicy and powerful, accompanied by fine fruit sweetness of fig and some chocolate, good acid core, harmonious and endowed with length. Already gluggable, with further ageing potential, decanting recommended.”