Very suave, intense and detailed wine with an array of ripe, red fruit, dark berries in the blue-to-purple spectrum and a swathe of wild herbs. Gently spicy play of oak. The palate has a very composed and focused feel. Long, fine, even and plush tannins.

Limpid ruby. Deep, smoke-accented dark berry and violet pastille scents are energized by a jolt of peppery spice. Smoky, sweet and broad in the mouth, offering concentrated boysenberry and cherry liqueur flavors and a hint of candied licorice. Shows very good power and energy and finishes with excellent persistence, featuring velvety, late-arriving tannins and a discreet touch of gaminess. (JR)

The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Habemus Papam is another fresh, medium to full-bodied, classic wine from this estate. Giving up ample red and black fruits, ground pepper, new leather, and garrigue-like aromas and flavors, it’s nicely textured, has remarkable purity, and ripe tannins.