2015 Domaine Charvin Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Astounding purity and depth. This wine emanates old vine concentration with deep raspberry and red plums, spicy complexity and a sappy, bracken-like edge. Powerful and elegant tannins, reminiscent of great Barolo! Drink from 2023. (8/2017)

Lurid ruby-red. Sexy, highly perfumed raspberry, boysenberry and floral pastille scents are complemented by hints of musky rhubarb and Asian spices. Palate-staining sweet red and blue fruit and spicecake flavors show power as well as superb vivacity thanks to a spine of juicy acidity. The floral quality comes back emphatically on a strikingly long, sappy finish shaped by smooth, slow-mounting tannins. This might be the finest wine to emerge from this estate that I have ever tasted, and I've had some pretty amazing ones over the years. (JR) (4/2017)

This tradition-minded producer has turned out a fine 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape. It's entirely whole cluster and 85% Grenache and sees only concrete for its vinification and élevage. The result is perfumed and floral, with stone fruit and cherries demonstrating the ripeness of the fruit. Yet it's also firmly tannic, suggesting some time in the cellar prior to prime-time drinking. This is a really fine effort. (JC) (10/2017)