A lovely licorice snap note leads off, followed quickly by crushed raspberry, blackberry and boysenberry fruit flavors. Rich yet restrained, with light shiso leaf, iron and incense details weaving throughout. The silky finish lets the fruit linger with a sustained hum. Grenache and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2035. From France. — J.M.

Richer and more deeply textured than the other cuvées from Charbonnière, 90% of the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes comes from 70- to 100-year-old Grenache vines in La Crau, supplemented by 10% Mourvèdre off 45-year-old vines. It has the same estate signature of red cherries and stone fruit, with just hints of spice on the long, velvety finish. -Joe Czerwinski

As you would expect, there is real old vine intensity of flavor and concentration here. The Grenache is quite peppery, the finish is long and the fruit in the end note has a real kick to it Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/search-wine-tasting-notes/?szSearch=2015%20Charbonniere%20Chateauneuf

Lastly, and from the oldest vines of the estate and the La Crau plateau, the 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes is the most structured and tannin in the line (which is common), yet is balanced, elegant and impeccably made. Black cherries, dried soils, dried herbs and savory spice characteristics give way to a medium to full-bodied, straight and focused Grenache that needs 3-4 years of bottle age, and will evolve gracefully for 10-15 years.