2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Quartz

Kirsch, blackberries, crushed flowers, blood orange, and tons of spice all emerge from the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Quartz. It's one of the richer, sexier wines in the lineup, which is certainly what this vintage delivers in spades. Full-bodied and concentrated, with a beautiful mid-palate, it's going to evolve positively for 2-4 years and drink brilliantly for 20 years or more. This is an incredibly fine, elegant version of this wine. The Vacheron family, Bruno Gaspard, and consultant Philippe Cambie continue to work magic at this modestly sized estate located on the eastern edge of Châteauneuf du Pape. They produce a bevy of cuvees, all of which are noteworthy, with their two flagship Châteauneuf du Papes, the Les Quartz and La Reserve, flirting with perfection in just about every vintage.

The 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Quartz features scents of black olives and black cherries on the nose. It's a full-bodied, dense, tightly packed wine that will need time to fully express itself—is it a modern-day 2005? Ample cherry and stone fruit appear on the long, intense finish, confirming the terrific potential this wine possesses.