2016 Domaine de la Vieille Julienne, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Les Hauts Lieux

Limpid violet. Powerful, mineral-accented aromas of ripe red and blue fruits are complicated by incense, Asian spice and pungent floral accents. Broad and fleshy on the palate, offering sappy, densely packed black raspberry, boysenberry and floral pastille flavors that show alluring sweetness and an exotic touch of five-spice powder. Finishes extremely long and smooth, displaying slow-building, harmonious tannins, a touch of spiciness and resonating red fruit and floral character.

60% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 10% Counoise, 10% Cinsault. From three parcels at high elevation with less sand and 60% limestone, 40% clay. Cask sample. Medicinal, lifted, aromatic and yet there is a lot of fruit density on the nose too. Delicious bramble fruit with a just-picked freshness. Very firm but fine, sandy tannic grip. Powerful and long-lived. (RH)