(WA94-96 points) Showing much more open and expressive than when I tasted it last year (or said another way, I under-rated it), the 2012 Côtes du Rhône Villages Vinsobres les Hauts de Julien comes from close to 100-year-old vines located in the northern part of the Southern Rhône. A blend of Syrah and Grenache that’s still in barrel, it offers thrilling notes of smoked dark fruits, pepper meats, graphite and big minerality to go with a full-bodied, focused, concentrated and serious feel on the palate. This is impressive across the board, and might be the greatest Vinsobres I’ve ever tasted. Short-term cellaring is advised, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see this still drinking brilliantly at age 20. - Jeb Dunnuck

An alluring ganache note pulls you in and the flavors of steeped plum and macerated blackberry hold you there. Velvety in feel despite the smoldering charcoal hint, this lets the fruit win out in the end, with spice and toast accents melding into the background. Drink now through 2018. 500 cases made.