The 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape exhibits more dark fruit than I would've expected, with black cherries, black olives and tar all mingling on the nose. In the mouth, the blend of 70% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah and 5% Cinsault is full-bodied, rich and velvety, with a lush, lingering finish. Easy to drink now, it should age for at least a decade just on its sheer concentration and ripeness.

A lovely beam of cassis and dark plum fruit streams through, laced with anise and graphite notes and driving into a sage brush-accented finish. Shows the ripe, focused, racy feel of the vintage. Best from 2020 through 2030. 1,500 cases imported.