The 2017 Pic Saint Loup Chateau Lavabre La Closerie dials up the oak component, adding cedar and baking spices to a blend of cracked pepper and ripe blueberries. Full-bodied and supple, almost creamy in texture, this is long and plush, while retaining a welcome sense of freshness.

The first vintage for this estate under the team at Puech Haut, the 2017 La Closerie Du Pic looks to be a brilliant wine, but if you know the wines of Puech Haut, that should surprise no one. Savory notes of macerated cherries, licorice, dried earth, and spiced meat all flow to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated effort that has loads of character. A blend of 65% Grenache and 35% Syrah, with the Grenache brought up in tank and the Syrah in barrel, it’s going to drink nicely right out of the gate and cruise for 7-8 years, probably longer.