Glistening ruby. Expansive, mineral-accented raspberry, cherry liqueur, exotic spice and licorice aromas show outstanding delineation. Sweet and expansive in the mouth, offering impressively concentrated red/blue fruit, floral pastille, spicecake and cola flavors that stain the palate. Shows outstanding energy and supple texture on a wonderfully long, floral- and spice-driven finish shaped by polished, even tannins.

Where to begin with the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Barbe Rac? For starters, there's the nose, as pure an expression of red raspberries as you're likely to find in wine. It's supremely supple on the full-bodied palate, with ample concentration and ripeness, yet on the finish, there's a worrying note of bitter greens. If that can be managed during élevage, this could be something special.