2014 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Quartz

Made from 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah, the 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape Les Quartz is slightly darker in color than the Les Safres cuvée and offers more cassis, black raspberry, licorice and hints of vanilla bean. Medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated and impeccably balanced, it has true depth and richness, which is a rarity in the vintage. Drink bottles over the coming 7-8 years.

Brilliant ruby-red. Deep-pitched aromas of ripe red and blue fruits, along with hints of licorice, floral pastilles and white pepper. Broad, palate-caressing blueberry and bitter cherry flavors become sweeter and livelier as the wine opens up, showing very good energy and back-end punch. Finishes sweet, smoky and very long, featuring slow-building tannins and an echo of sappy dark fruit.

Tasted blind. Dark crimson with a very pale rim. Quite savoury and rich – more depth than most Tradition bottlings and with a distinctly salty savoury edge. Lots of fun and satisfaction. (JR)