One of my favorite wines, the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Réservée is a classic. Beautiful on the nose, with notions of ground pepper, wild herbs, minerality and smoked plum and dark fruit, it’s medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated and has plenty of tannin that comes through on the finish. Similar in style to a lighter-weight 2010, drink this beauty anytime over the coming 12-15 years.

Bright purple. Smoky, spice-accented aromas of blackberry and cherry-cola, with sexy floral and mineral overtones. Sweet and expansive on the palate, offering an array of red and dark berry preserve flavors complicated by hints of Indian spices and black pepper. Rich and energetic, with strong finishing thrust, slow-building tannins and a late kick of smoky minerality. I was looking for some funky gaminess here but didn't find any.

Bright ruby. Gamey nose. Sweet start and lots of pleasure here. Good lift and the excitement of herbs and spices. A real peacock’s tail of flavour on the end. Sweet and herbal. Still quite a bit of fine tannin. Not nearly such good value as some of Norrel Robertson’s Spanish Garnacha blends though! (JR)