Moving to the reds, the base 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blockbuster, and this is one of those cases where you have to wonder if it’s worth the cost of the special cuvées when this wine is so good. Maire describes the 2016 vintage as a mix of the 2010 and 2007 vintages, and I can’t disagree. This beautiful 2016 offers a terrific nose of black raspberries, garrigue, and peppered meat in a full-bodied, ripe, incredibly sexy, seamless style. It has a boatload of tannins, and despite its intensity and richness, is still elegant and seamless. Buy a case of this, trust me.

Enticing, with bright, engaging raspberry, cherry and red currant fruit infused with gently roasted sandalwood and apple wood, garrigue and licorice root notes. A swath of tobacco underscores the finish, giving this an old-school hint. Best from 2020 through 2040. 2,500 cases made. –JM

Full bodied, intense, lush, rich and with a serious depth of flavor, the fruit is sweet, spicy, fresh, long and intense. The finish is packed with ripe, dark cherries, black plum, kirsch and peppery spices. It's hard to believe this is their entry level wine, because it's so good. The wine was produced from blending 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 5% Mourvedre. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/search-wine-tasting-notes/?szSearch=Domaine%20Giraud%20Ch%C3%A2teauneuf-du-Pape%20Tradition

Made from 50- to 80-year-old vines, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape offers tremendous purity for an entry-level cuvée. Pine and rosemary notes accent bright cherry fruit in this full-bodied, creamy textured and lush example of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The assemblage is 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre. Enjoy it over the next decade. - Joe Czerwinski

Delicate violet perfume mingles into crisp cassis and black cherry in this pristinely fruity, juicy blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. It's lavish and plush but offers subtleties of earth and almond along with fine, integrated tannins. The youthful fruit profile is appealing now but should improve through 2028. - ANNA LEE C. IIJIMA