(made with 20 percent whole clusters and 20 percent new oak) Youthful purple. High-pitched, mineral-accented aromas of blackberry, cherry and olive paste are complemented by an incense note and a strong suggestion of smoky Indian spices. Sappy, pliant and alluringly sweet, offering palate-coating black and blue fruit and spicecake flavors and a subtle hint of vanilla. Finishes sweet, focused and extremely long, displaying smoky mineral and floral pastille notes and velvety, slow-building tannins.

Similar in style, yet more backward and concentrated, the 2014 Cornas les Vieilles Vignes (18 months in 15% new French oak) offers impressive amounts of graphite, black and blue fruits, licorice and scorched earth in its medium to full-bodied, concentrated, focused style. It needs 2-3 years of cellaring and will drink well for a decade.

Compact, understated nose then a lovely succulence and generosity on the palate with superb fragrance and subtle but opulent spice. Fine chewiness on the finish. Energetic fruit quality. Great persistence. (RH)