As to the reds, all of these show beautiful purity of fruit and impeccably made profiles. As a whole, 2015 was consistent throughout the Southern Rhône, and you see that consistency in this lineup. From 100-year-old Grenache vines planted in sandy parts of the La Crau lieu-dit, the blockbuster 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Spéciale knocks it out of the park with its decadent notes of kirsch, blackberries, Provençal garrigue and graphite aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, deep, rich and concentrated, it has an inherent, Grenache-driven sexiness that I adore. Michel Tardieu and his son Bastien, with the help of consultant Philippe Cambie, continue to make a rich, full-bodied, concentrated style of wine from throughout the Southern Rhône Valley. While they made some solid 2014s (mostly reviewed last year), these 2015s are hold on to your hat good! (JD)