Juicy and layered, with raspberry, plum and blackberry pâte de fruit flavors, all carried by polished and persistent grip through a licorice- and spice-laden finish. Focused and fresh. Best from 2019 through 2030.

Bright ruby-red. High-pitched, spice-accented red fruit aromas are complicated by floral and herb nuances that build with air. Sweet, penetrating raspberry and cherry flavors show very good depth and energy, while licorice pastille and white pepper qualities develop slowly. Rich yet lively in style, finishing with very good focus and gentle tannins that frame the appealingly sweet fruit. This wine is an excellent example of a "basic" Châteauneuf.

Another in a long line of textbook wines from this estate, the 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Tradition displays subtle peppery, cinnamon and cherry notes on the nose. It's velvety in texture, turning to silk on the long, spicy finish. This full-bodied wine is 75% Grenache from ten different lieux-dits, primarily on galets roulés.

Moving to the 2015s from bottle, the 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape checks in as a blend of 75% Grenache, 12% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and the balance a mix of varieties, that was partially destemmed and aged in a mix of foudre, demi-muids, and concrete tank. It's a classic wine from this estate and offers textbook peppery garrigue, olive, and games notes, ample currant and blackberry fruit, medium to full-bodied richness, sweet tannin, and a good finish. In short, it's an outstanding, classic Châteauneuf du Pape that will drink well for a decade or more.