One of the most impressive barrel samples of this cuvée I can remember, the 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Pure is always almost 100% Grenache that comes from a tiny parcel of sandy soils located right at the junction of the Grand Pierre, Pointu and Rayas lieux-dits. Partially destemmed, vinified in concrete and aged in a single, ancient foudre, this sensational-looking Châteauneuf du Pape dishes out incredible amounts of ripe cherries, blueberries, crushed rocks and crushed flowers. Big, full-bodied, thick and unctuous, it got a few expletives in the notes, and for all its size and weight, it stays lively, pure and even elegant. My money is on this beauty being one of the top wines in the vintage

(most of these vines are now over 115 years old; fermented in large concrete eggs and aged in a large older foudre ) Lurid ruby. A complex, highly perfumed bouquet evokes fresh dark berries, cola, incense and potpourri, and a hint of smoky minerality emerges with air. Juicy, penetrating black raspberry, bitter cherry and lavender pastille flavors show superb depth and energy and stretch out to become sweeter on the back half. Shows excellent clarity and spicy lift on a long, sappy finish framed by velvety, slow-building tannins. For such a generous wine, there's no lack of vivacity here.

There's no denying I love Grenache grown on sandy sites within the appellation, like the Domaine La Barroche 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Pure. It's vinified in concrete and raised in foudre, so it should hit a home run with me. There's tons of cherry fruit packed into this wine, a velvety texture...so what's my issue with it? The heat. The alcohol shows through on the mid-palate and the finish. If you're more tolerant of that in your table wines than I am, you'll probably score it several points higher. As it is, I still wouldn't turn a glass down if offered.

Mainly old-vine, field-blend Grenache on sandy soils above Rayas. Blackish ruby. Light, direct nose with very meaty/savoury notes. Round and sweet and flattering with a dry finish and all the elements in place. A hint of portiness but it does have drive too – a good port! (JR)