Fragrances of vanilla, smoke and violet amplify bold blackberry and plum in this bombastic red wine. A blend of 64% Grenache, 28% Syrah and 8% Mourvèdre, it's a rich, densely textured wine with a lingering finish marked by Bourbon and coffee notes. Appealing already for its flash, it should gain elegance from 2021 and improve through 2040

Deep ruby. Deeply perfumed aromas of ripe red and dark berries, candied flowers and garrigue slowly pick up a spicy element as the wine stretches out. Juicy and seamless on the palate, offering alluringly sweet black raspberry, spicecake and lavender pastille flavors and a late hint of cola. The floral and spice notes repeat strongly on the impressively long, penetrating finish, which is given shape and gentle grip by smooth, slow-building tannins.

A great vintage for this cuvée (and the region as a whole), the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Val de Dieu is 64% Grenache, 28% Syrah, and the balance Mourvèdre, all brought up in demi-muids. Fabulous notes of garrigue, new saddle leather, graphite, and assorted sweet red (and some black) fruits give way to a full-bodied, ripe, powerful wine that has remarkable elegance and purity. It's already approachable yet will unquestionably benefit from short-term cellaring and shine for a decade or more.

A beauty, with boysenberry, loganberry and blueberry fruit streaming through. Creamy and lush in feel, yet driven and detailed due to seamless acidity and light anise, black tea and lavender notes. Reveals a light graphite hint at the very end.

Full-bodied and plush, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Val de Dieu is a blend of 64% Grenache, 28% Syrah and 8% Mourvèdre. Brought up exclusively in demi-muids, it does show some toasty accents, but it delivers a lush mouthful of ripe raspberries and vanilla that glides to a lingering, slightly charred finish.