Reviews

Tangy and zesty, this crisp wine shows a strong sense of chalky terroir, with a mineral edge and tight acidity. These elements mean the wine will take time to age. 

This is a tight and textured wine. Spice and bright fruitiness are balanced with a strong mineral character. The wine will take time to reveal its full, generous fruit and richness. 

The wine is full of acidity — crisp and tight. With firm tannins to back up the red-currant fruit, it is going to take time to open up. Then it will become a rich serious wine. 

A ripe, balanced wine that has juicy red strawberry and raspberry fruits and fine acidity to balance. It is warm and rounded, full of dense fruits, with its tannins surrounded by the cushion of the fruit. 

Moving to the 2015s mostly tasted from bottle, the 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Louis Bernard is another well made, enjoyable effort. blackberries, peppery herbs, hints of charcuterie and spice give way to a medium to full-bodied, plump, delicious red to drink over the coming 3-5 years. The blend is 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre, brought up all in concrete tanks.

A blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and the balance Mourvèdre, all from the la Crau lieu-dit, the 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Crau des Papes offers a more nuanced, layered style than the classic cuvée. Strawberries, leafy green herb, orange blossom and garrigue notes all give way to a medium to full-bodied, elegant, silky red that has fine tannin and a great finish. It’s going to drink nicely through 2025.

Toasty and spicy with a briary, red and black fruit nose with floral hints. Complex palate awash with plums, black cherries and blackberries.

A flirty pretty nose showing red fruits and wood smoke. Fresh red cherry, silky, smooth and supplewith a lingering savoury finish. Lovely.

Healthy medium red. Subtle aromas of redcurrant, spices and earth, plus a hint of smoke. A supple, sweet, attractive midweight without any edges. Intense red fruits and dusty brown spices carry very well through the fine-grained finish. Suavely tannic for Corton, this wine should have very good staying power in the bottle. -- Stephen Tanzer

Healthy medium red. Coolish and vibrant on the nose, with cherry and berry flavors complicated by a whiff of vanilla and obvious spicy oak. Silky and suave in the mouth, offering a lovely combination of volume and finesse; the fresher combe character comes through clearly. Red and darker berry flavors are complicated by a touch of savory minerality. Not a thick style but nicely perfumed. Finishes with smooth tannins and noteworthy length. -- Stephen Tanzer