2014 Chateauneuf du Pape

Brilliant ruby-red. Sexy, spice-accented aromas of red and dark berry preserves, incense and candied flowers carry a subtle hint of white pepper. Sweet, seamless and broad in the mouth, offering concentrated raspberry and lavender pastille flavors lifted and defined by a bright mineral quality. Emphatically fruity and densely packed, and there's very good energy here as well. Silky tannins build slowly on a long, seamless finish that leaves behind notes of red fruit and candied flowers.

Tasted blind. Dark crimson. Darkly spicy with good fresh fruit on the front palate. Very conventional Châteauneuf – and definitely none the worse for that! Just a little bit hot on the end. (JR)