A 60-40 blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre from the lieux-dits of La Guigasse and Pignan, I'm happy to say the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape La Reserve has come in at the top end of my expectations for it. They produced 6,136 bottles of this elixir, which offers magical aromas of mixed berries, roses and exotic spices. It's full-bodied and weightless at the same time, boasting waves of silky, caressing, seductive tannins and an incredibly long finish. Despite its light touch, it seems assured of evolving over a couple of decades. Sheer gossamer perfection! - Joe Czerwinski

The flagship is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve, the classic blend of 60/40 Grenache and Mourvèdre brought up in demi-muids. Blackberries, currants, black cherries, scorched earth, spice, and beautiful minerality all emerge from this full-bodied beauty that shows the more seamless, elegant style of this estate beautifully. It's more backward, concentrated, and reserved than the Les Quartz release, yet has more density and concentration as well as elegance. I was able to taste this beauty twice and rated it perfect on one occasion and a mere 98 points on another. Give it 3-4 years and enjoy over the following 15-20 years.

Sultry and silken on the palate, this wine stands out for its opulence and intensity but profound finesse as well. A blend of 65% Grenache and 35% Mourvèdre sourced from sandy soils, it offers bold layers of black cherry and mulberry accented by vanilla, smoke and rose petals. Tannins are firm and gripping on the finish now but should meld and improve through 2040. - ANNA LEE C. IIJIMA

Some sexy, smoky complexity across ripe, dark-cherry, blueberry and dark-plum aromas. This is seductive. Tannins engulf the ample, fleshy, ripe, dark plums and cherries with sleek, silky, caressing style. Thrilling Châteauneuf! From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. - Nick Stock

This has the ripe, pure and racy profile of the vintage, sporting a long beam of raspberry, plum and cherry pâte de fruit flavors scored with floral, incense and tea notes along the way. Fresh acidity lets the elements ripple nicely through the finish. A beauty. Best from 2020 through 2040. — J.M.