I love the 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Chante Le Merle Vieilles Vignes, and it's the most balanced and complete of this estate's 2015s. Garrigue, kirsch, spice, dried earth and garrigue nuances all flow to a full-bodied, supple, beautifully textured red that has classic aromas and flavors, polished, elegant tannin and a great finish. It's approachable today, yet will be even better with short-term cellaring and drink well for a decade or more. The 2015 is 86% Grenache and 7% each of Mourvèdre and Syrah, from 80-90-year-old vines, fermented with 100% whole clusters and aged in foudre (60%), demi-muids (30%) and concrete tanks (10%).

Vivid ruby. Pungent red berry, cherry liqueur, incense and anise scents are sharpened by a suggestion of peppery spices and a zesty mineral quality. Delivers intense raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that show outstanding clarity and slowly gain sweetness in the glass while picking up a sexy floral pastille nuance. This very youthful, decidedly pure wine unwinds very nicely with air and finishes extremely long, offering gentle sweetness and slow-building, harmonious tannins.

The final blend of the captivating 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Chante le Merle Vieilles Vignes is 86% Grenache, with the balance equally split between Syrah and Mourvèdre. Delicate cherry and sandalwood perfumes rise from the glass, while the mid-palate delivers a full-bodied experience that seems almost weightless. The finish is long and silky, featuring a reprise of cherries and spice. It's just a lovely, elegant wine.

Dried red berry and slightly leafy notes with an array of gently spicy, potpourri-like aromas. The palate has a succulent, juicy and noble tannins texture, and salty appeal. Great build and length. Elegance with power. Drink from 2020.

Lush and lengthy, with gorgeous raspberry, boysenberry and black cherry pate de fruit notes streaming through, while light anise, floral and incense accents add lift and range. The silky but persistent structure lets everything hang wonderfully through the finish, showing a lingering echo of shiso leaf for freshness. Best from 2019 through 2035.