Fermented and aged in demi-muid (44%) and new barriques (56%) for nine months. It has fine, fresh, lifted aromas of pear, fennel and honeysuckle. It's not as oaky as previous years, and the lively, full-bodied palate is punctuated by a light, fresh fruit character with a long finish, making for a much more drinkable wine. Certified organic.

A more savory nose than the regular Châteauneuf from here, and more obvious oak influence, adding warm, baking-spice complexity to the nose and palate. The power of fruit here is impressive with ripe-grapefruit, lemon and peach-sorbet flavors holding long. Grilled hazelnuts to close. Drink or hold.

Offering more of everything, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Clos de Beauvenir is much more interesting. Made from a unique blend of 79% Roussanne and 21% Grenache Blanc, it boasts terrific notions of caramelized lemons, citrus blossom, brioche and crushed rocks. Rich, textured and balanced, with vibrant acidity, it's a terrific white I’d happily drink anytime over the coming decade or more.

Transparent yellow. Smoky, mineral-accented citrus and orchard fruits on the nose, along with a suave floral nuance and a touch of iodine. Sappy, concentrated and lively on the palate, offering pear liqueur, tangerine, honey and buttered toast flavors that are given spine and lift by a core of juicy acidity. Emphatically echoes the mineral and pear notes and shows excellent delineation on a long, seamless finish.

(92+ points) One of the few whites from the appellation I would be confident in aging is La Nerthe's 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Clos de Beauvenir. It's roughly 80-20 Roussanne and Grenache Blanc, fermented and aged in demi-muids and barriques, yet it is tight and focused. Stone fruit, melon and tangerine on the nose give way to notions of honey and bergamot on the palate.