98 Josh Raynolds - Vinous Media

Vivid ruby-red. Powerful raspberry liqueur, cherry pie, incense, potpourri and spicecake aromas show outstanding clarity and pick up a vibrant mineral nuance with aeration. Sweet and seamless in the mouth, offering deeply concentrated but shockingly lithe raspberry, cherry liqueur, five-spice powder and lavender pastille flavors given lift and spine by a jolt of juicy acidity. Blends richness and delicacy with a deft hand and finishes wonderfully long and precise, with pliant tannins adding shape and gentle grip. Is this the wine of the vintage? It's definitely on the (very) short list.

95-97+ Joe Czerwinski - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes was matured entirely in concrete. It boasts lovely red plum-scented fruit and a broad mix of spices on the nose, followed by a full-bodied, supple, rich palate that hints at blueberries and licorice on the long, velvety finish. Although I didn't detect any heat in these wines, I'd be cautious of aging them too long; once the fruit fades, the alcohol may become much more apparent.