Delightful whispers of smoke and earth extend from nose to finish in this ripe, inky blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Blackberry and cherry flavors are sun-drenched but pure and etched by shards of granite and peppery spice. A hedonistic wine that's irresistible in youth but should reward cellaring through at least 2030. — Anna Lee C. Iijima

Shimmering ruby-red. A highly expressive bouquet evokes candied red and dark berries, cola, smoky minerals and licorice, and a sexy floral note builds as the wine opens up. Sappy, penetrating and pure, offering palate-staining black raspberry, cherry pie, blood orange and lavender pastille flavors that put on weight and turn spicier with air. Delivers a compelling blend of richness and delicacy and finishes spicy, focused and very long, leaving floral and red fruit preserve notes behind. Once again, this bottling is, perhaps, the top basic Châteauneuf of the year. - By Josh Raynolds, December 2019

The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape (90% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Mourvèdre) is a beauty that has ample richness and depth yet shows the elegant style of the estate. Kirsch, blackberries, ground herbs, garrigue, and licorice notes all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, silky red. It has plenty of upfront fruit, but it has the density and tannic grip of the vintage and is going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age to hit prime time.

Dark, rich and intense, the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape nicely reflects the heat and dryness of the growing season. It's full-bodied and lush, with chocolaty overtones to the black cherry and licorice flavors. I'd give it until 2020, then drink it over the next 7-8 years.- JC