Full black-fruit aromas and intense licorice character, together with the full body and plenty of powdery tannins make a bold statement. Everything fits together very neatly on the front and mid-palate, but the finish doesn’t have quite the excitement you were led to expect. Still, this is a delicious wine with many years of life ahead of it. A blend of 60% grenache and 40% mourvedre. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

Moving to the 2018s, all of which were tasted from bottle, the 2018 Châteauneuf du Pape reveals a ruby/purple hue and is slightly opaque. Based on 85% Grenache and 5% each of Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault, it offers a gorgeous perfume of black raspberries, herbes de Provence, ground pepper, candied orange, and a touch of spiced meat. Pure class on the palate, with medium to full-bodied richness and ultra-fine tannins, it has terrific balance, a layered, elegant mouthfeel, and a great finish. This is one thrilling base cuvee to enjoy over the coming decade or more.

Ripe and juicy, this is a well-built version offering up a range of enticing black cherry, plum and fig fruit flavors while singed alder, garrigue and dried lavender notes chime throughout. Ample fruit on the finish with a savory streak providing a nice counterpoint. Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2021 through 2032. — J.M.

The 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape is a terrific effort from this variable vintage, loaded with rich, ripe flavors of red and purple raspberries, black cherries and oodles of Provençal herbs. It's full-bodied and nearly creamy in texture, with silky tannins that make a subtle appearance on the licorice-tinged finish. Looking even more concentrated and structured than last year, it should drink well for at least a decade.- JC

Vivid ruby-red. Musky, spice-tinged red fruit, floral and herb qualities on the expressive nose. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, offering bitter cherry and raspberry flavors that turn sweeter as the wine opens up. The floral note recurs on a long, smooth finish shaped by well-judged tannins. -- Josh Raynolds