2019 Roger Sabon "Le Secret des Sabon" Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Pre-Arrival)

SKU #1571032 100 points Jeb Dunnuck

The tiny production 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Secret Des Sabon is a field blend of mostly Grenache brought up all in wooden tronconique barrels. It's closest in style to the Prestige Cuvée yet brings another level of opulence and richness without losing any sense of elegance or class. Blackberries, peppery herbs, graphite, crushed violets, and a liquid rock-like minerality all define the nose, and it hits the palate with incredible depth of fruit, full-bodied richness, and ripe yet building tannins. While the acidity is technically quite low (the pH is 3.8), it holds onto an undeniable sense of freshness and purity. It is just a thrilling, magical wine from this estate. While young and unevolved, with 3-5 years of cellaring required, it is a modern-day legend capable of evolving for over two decades. (11/2021)

98 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

A top-notch effort, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape le Secret de Sabon—a blend of two old-vine Grenache parcels from sandier soils—offers up some floral and raspberry notes set against a dark backdrop of plums, mocha and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, dense and rich, it's almost fudge-like in intensity, but with adequate freshness, a deeply plush texture and tremendous length on the finish. Technical director Didier Negron is refreshingly candid when speaking about his vintages at Domaine Roger Sabon, and on this occasion, we traveled back in time as far as his first vintage with the estate, which was 2001, which he referred to as being very homogenous. At age 20, those wines are fully mature, and there's nothing further to be gained from additional cellaring. The 2011 Prestige, from a vintage Negron called early-drinking, should also be consumed in the near term, but the standout 2011 Secret should easily see out this decade. Turning to recent vintages, Negron is clearly a fan of the 2019s. "It's easy to make a great wine in 2019," he said. "But I hope people put [them] in the cellar and wait. Like 2016, it's necessary to wait a little bit." The 2020s, according to Negron, "have a little less concentration and alcohol, but the balance and the freshness is interesting." (JC) (5/2022)

96 points Decanter

Very dark, powerful, slightly tarry and roasted with a very intense - almost too intense - acidity. Surprisingly dark for Grenache on sandy soils, extremely concentrated. A driving, focussed, mineral expression that will take some time to reach its peak. Long finish. 3,000 bottles made. Mostly grown on sand, fermented in stainless steel, then aged in tronconic wooden vats. Drinking Window 2022 - 2045. (MW) (10/2020)

96 points Vinous

Shimmering ruby. Powerful, mineral-accented black raspberry and cherry liqueur aromas are complemented by incense, licorice and potpourri flourishes. Juicy, sweet and impressively concentrated, offering palate-staining red/blue fruit, spicecake and lavender pastille flavors braced by a spine of juicy acidity. Brawny yet surprisingly lithe as well, showing outstanding clarity and youthfully chewy tannins on the strikingly long, floral and spice-tinged finish. (JR) (10/2021)

96 points Wine Spectator

Juicy, dense and packed, yet remarkably defined, with a mix of plum and racy-edged blackberry, boysenberry and raspberry reduction flavors, all laced with a licorice snap thread. Black tea, garrigue and humus accents underscore the finish as the fruit sails through with aplomb. A beauty. Drink now through 2038. (JM) (11/2021)