While there was no Vieilles Vignes bottling produced this vintage, the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape stands out for its remarkable perfume of garrigue and spice, which epitomizes the complexity attainable solely from grapes in this remarkable appellation. Tendrils of dried herbs entwine raspberries and black cherries, accented by hints of Asian five-spice powder. It's medium to full-bodied and delicately dusty in feel, generous yet softly structured, with a lingering, elegant finish. Drink this beauty over the next decade or so.

Brilliant ruby. Deeply perfumed red and blue fruit and floral aromas are complemented by suggestions of exotic spices, licorice and smoky minerals. Juicy and concentrated in style, offering appealingly sweet cherry and raspberry liqueur flavors that become livelier and spicier as the wine opens up. Shows impressive power and breadth, and the long, floral- and spice-driven finish is shaped by steadily building tannins. Note that there was no Vieilles Vignes bottling made in 2018.

60% Roussanne, 40% Bourboulenc. Aged in stainless steel and old oak. Tasted blind. Honey, dried herbs, apricot, blossom. Inevitably low acidity, leaving a rather flat finish, but the quality of flavours has enjoyable purity. (RH)