Another great Vieux Donjon, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape boasts fascinating, complex aromas of licorice, spice drops, black cherries, leather and dusty earth. Full-bodied and silky-textured, it's compelling stuff, long on the finish, with plenty of life still ahead of it. - Joe Czerwinski

This takes a decidedly old-school approach with its very distinctive bay leaf and juniper notes leading the way along with roasted mesquite and alder wood. The core of steeped black currant roasted plum and blackberry fruit waits in reserve while the long ganache- and tar-filled finish has nice rugged grip with a peppery echo. Should cellar wonderfully. Best from 2015 through 2030. 8000 cases made.