2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Hesperides

50% Mourvèdre, 50% Grenache. Cask sample. Jammy fruits on the nose and palate. Chewy tannin, moderate intensity, not much complexity as of yet. Seems to exit swiftly. (RH)

I think even better, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Hesperides reminds me a great vintage of Beaucastel’s Hommage A Jacques Perrin. A blend of equal parts Mourvèdre and Grenache, all from the les Bédines lieu-dit (this is all sandy soils), it offers sensational notes of blueberries, plums, peppery herbs, licorice, and violets. Full-bodied, decadent and layered, with an incredible opulence that makes it almost impossible to resist, I suspect it will shut down shortly after bottling, yet emerge with 4-5 years of cellaring and keep for two decades. Located near Courthezon, La Bastide Saint Dominque is run with incredible talent by Eric Bonnet. The 2015s are certainly impressive, and the 2016s are the finest wines I’ve tasted from the estate.