2015 Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Chateauneuf du Pape les Hauts-lieux

"This is beautiful, with gently steeped fig, boysenberry and blackberry fruit cruising through confidently, while light anise, black tea and incense accents weave around. The long, refined finish lets the fruit play out while a subtle chalky minerality keeps everything knit together. Best from 2020 through 2045." Review Date: June 2018

"The 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Haut Lieux comes from a higher elevation parcel and includes a decent amount of Mourvèdre. Harvest very late (this is a cooler terroir), it offers impressive notes of cassis, crushed rocked and violets. This square, structured, tannic effort has killer purity of fruit and an incredible elegance, yet needs time. Forget bottles for 4-5 years and enjoy over the following 15+." Review Date: October 2017

"Deep ruby. Spicy and energetic on the highly perfumed nose, displaying intense black raspberry and cherry scents and strong suggestions of candied lavender and smoky minerals. Supple, sweet and focused on the palate, offering deeply concentrated yet energetic red berry liqueur and cherry compote flavors that tighten up steadily with aeration. Shows excellent lift and clarity on the strikingly long, mineral-accented finish, which features lingering raspberry and floral notes and harmonious tannins. The interplay of power and finesse here is really something." Review Date: March 2017