Possessing more concentration and richness than the other Cristia cuvées, the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes—sourced from 95-year-old Grenache vines in the Cristia lieu-dit—combines hints of cedar and vanilla from the barrels in which it matured with ripe raspberries and black cherries. Full-bodied and intensely flavored, it delivers those things without any sense of heaviness, remaining fresh, silky and elegant from boldly aromatic start to long, nuanced finish. Yum!

Deep bright-rimmed ruby. Oak-spiced cherry and Chambord aromas are complemented by vanilla and incense qualities and a touch of smokiness. Sweet and fleshy in style, offering red fruit preserve, cherry-vanilla and spicecake flavors that steadily expand with air. In a lush, extroverted style, with a long, smooth finish that features resonating oak and floral notes and even tannins that are quickly absorbed by the wine's sweet red fruit.

100% Grenache. Cask sample. Tasted blind. Rich cherry fruit, supple tannic feel on the palate that leaves a light furriness on the finish, and simple, easy drinking red fruit. (RH)