Moving to the reds, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape offers plenty of Bing cherry, spice, and some salty minerality in a fresh, elegant, incredibly Burgundian style. It’s finesse-driven, has terrific purity, and will evolve nicely for 10-12 years.

Nicely packed, with raspberry and plum compote flavors at the core, liberally lined with singed alder, tobacco and warm brick accents. The finish has a grippy edge, but this red stays fresh and driven overall. Best from 2020 through 2030. 6,000 cases made.

Beaurenard has excelled this vintage. The 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape is no slouch, with ample richness, bold cherry and apricot fruit and attractive hints of dried spices and garrigue. Complex, full-bodied and supple, it finishes long and silky. It's two-thirds Grenache Noir, with the rest composed of the 17 other permitted grape varieties.

Deep ruby-red. Highly perfumed red fruit preserve, incense and Asian spice aromas show excellent clarity and pick up a smoky mineral element with air. Sappy, sweet and penetrating on the palate, offering juicy raspberry, cherry and lavender pastille flavors and a touch of spicecake. Closes on a vibrating mineral note, delivering well-knit tannins and floral-driven persistence.