2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge Château de Vaudieu

Tasted blind. Succulent red bramble fruit with attractive herby notes and a sprinkling of sweet spice. Long, aromatically driven finish with a peppery note. Lots of open, generous flavour here. (RH) 15% Drink 2019-2028.

Moving to the 2017s and starting with the base Châteauneuf Du Pape, it's a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah that was brought up mostly in demi-muids. Revealing a ruby/purple hue as well as notes of black raspberries, kirsch, garrigue, incense, and loamy soil and earth, this beauty hits the palate with beautiful depth of fruit, a layered, rounded, sexy texture, no hard edges, remarkable purity, and just tons of charm. Drink it any time over the coming decade or more.

The 2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a solid effort that shows the charming yet elegant style of the vintage nicely. Black raspberries, kirsch, peach pit, and violet notes all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, sweetly fruited, charming and classic wine from this estate.

The full-bodied 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape is a pleasure-giving mouthful of wine, a blend of 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre. Tasted on two different occasions (once blind), I scored it consistently, although one occasion I found it more tannic. Cherry and black raspberry fruit abounds; the tannins are ripe and silky in texture; and the finish lingers, adding hints of crushed stone and brine. I noted chocolate on one occasion, which makes me think it might not be terribly long-lived, so my aging estimate is conservative. 2020-2027.

Deep red. Highly perfumed red berry and floral aromas are complemented by suggestions of cracked pepper and smoky minerals. Sweet and penetrating on the palate, offering ripe raspberry, cherry and floral pastille flavors braced by a core of juicy acidity. In a seamless, energetic style, displaying a smooth blend of richness and finesse and finishing gently sweet and impressively long, with even tannins and building spiciness.

Ripe and forward, with raspberry and blackberry puree flavors gliding through atop a silky structure, while anise, fruitcake and black tea notes swirl around. Moderate grip keeps this balanced. Drink now through 2028. 500 cases imported. - JM.

Powerful and buxom yet elegantly nuanced, this 80-20 blend of Grenache and Syrah is sourced entirely from Châteauneuf-du-Pape's safre, or sandy soils. Notes of red cherry and plum gain ripeness from nose to palate, accented by shades of earth, dried garrigue and black pepper. Approachable now but should improve through 2027 and hold further still.