CDP Clos du Caillou Réserve, Le Clos du Caillou 2016

The flagship is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve, the classic blend of 60/40 Grenache and Mourvèdre brought up in demi-muids. Blackberries, currants, black cherries, scorched earth, spice, and beautiful minerality all emerge from this full-bodied beauty that shows the more seamless, elegant style of this estate beautifully. It's more backward, concentrated, and reserved than the Les Quartz release, yet has more density and concentration as well as elegance. I was able to taste this beauty twice and rated it perfect on one occasion and a mere 98 points on another. Give it 3-4 years and enjoy over the following 15-20 years.

A 60-40 blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre from the lieux-dits of La Guigasse and Pignan, I'm happy to say the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape La Reserve has come in at the top end of my expectations for it. They produced 6,136 bottles of this elixir, which offers magical aromas of mixed berries, roses and exotic spices. It's full-bodied and weightless at the same time, boasting waves of silky, caressing, seductive tannins and an incredibly long finish. Despite its light touch, it seems assured of evolving over a couple of decades. Sheer gossamer perfection!