2017 Chateauneuf du Pape

Shimmering ruby. Mineral-accented cherry, black raspberry and licorice aromas pick up a floral nuance as the wine opens up. Juicy and expansive on the palate, offering juicy cherry, raspberry preserve and floral pastille flavors that are firmed by a spine of tangy acidity. Deepens with air and finishes very long and spicy, displaying well-knit tannins and repeating red fruit and floral character.

The same mix of La Crau, Font de Loup, and Saint Georges lieux-dits brought up in a foudre, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape has a Rayas-like bouquet of kirsch liqueur, candied rose petal, orange zest, and spice. It's incredibly polished, elegant and layered on the palate, with fine tannins, terrific balance, and a great finish. This is a brilliant wine I’d be thrilled to have in the cellar. I continue to love these wines from Clos St Antonin, which are made by Isabelle and Christophe Sabon of Domaine de la Janasse. Along with Chapelle Saint Theodoric, they’re the closes thing to Rayas out there.

One foudre of old-vine grenache (60 to 80 years old), planted on sandy soil. This has a very ripe and rich, raspberry core with abundantly fleshy berries and a plush, open-knit feel to the raspberry finish. Drink over the next six years.