Solidly built, with a well-formed core of plum, blackberry and black cherry compote flavors supported by warm earth, anise, plum pit and black tea. The focused finish lets the fruit play out, keeping an underlying freshness in the process. Grenache and Syrah. Best from 2023 through 2034. 635 cases imported.

The entry-level Chateauneuf du Pape release is the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape La Bernardine, which is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre that was completely destemmed and will be brought up all in concrete tanks. This ruby/purple colored beauty gives up lots of black raspberry, garrigue and floral aromas and flavors to go with a medium to full-bodied, impressively concentrated, impeccably balanced profile on the palate. It's another 2015 that might be a best to date, and it will shine right out of the gate.