2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve Auguste Favier

Still youthful, the 2005 Châteauneuf du Pape Reserve Auguste Favier incorporates more Grenache, and includes 10% Cinsault and 10% Syrah in place of the Mourvèdre that’s found in the Collection Charles Giraud. It’s a full-bodied, ripe, fresh and lively effort that has classic notes of peppery herbs, sweet dark fruits, olive tapenade and earth. Possessing more acidity, it has fine tannin and terrific length, all boding well for it age-ability. Feel free to drink bottles anytime over the coming decade or more as well.

80% Grenache, 10% Cinsault, 10% Syrah Lieux-dits: Quartier des Serres. 100% whole bunch. 18 months in 50% in two- to three-year-old demi-muids and 50% concrete. Dark ruby. A bit reduced. Tough start. Still very youthful. Very awkward, hard and pungent. (JR)

Dark purple. Stunning bouquet of dark cherry, cassis, anise and garrigue, picking up fresh flowers and minerals with air. Chewy tannins frame lush dark fruit and licorice flavors, with cracked pepper and espresso notes emerging on the close. Pretty serious stuff, and not for early drinking.