Deep brilliant red. An assertively perfumed bouquet evokes red berry preserves, exotic spices and candied lavender, along with a chalky mineral quality that builds as the wine opens up. Sweet, seamless and energetic in style, offering lithe raspberry, cherry and spicecake flavors that show wonderful clarity and back-end cut. The mineral and floral components drive a very long, appealingly sweet finish shaped by smooth, harmonious tannins.

Offers a lovely display of raspberry, damson plum and black cherry confiture aromas and flavors, all carried on a remarkably silky and elegant frame. A light mineral spine guides the finish, which picks up pretty anise and spice details as well. Drink now through 2034. 3,500 cases made, 500 cases imported.

The 2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape isn't going to get close to the 2016 but should nevertheless be an outstanding wine. Terrific notes of black raspberries, red plums, Asian spices, and sandalwood all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, fleshy, perfumed 2017. It's also going to be approachable in its youth.