The 80-20 Grenache-Mourvèdre 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes is a knockout. Vinified and matured in a combination of concrete and oak vats, it displays beautiful aromas of cocoa, cola and spice, then adds a rich, velvety texture and tons of dark fruit. Alluring licorice notes appear on the lengthy finish, drawing you back in for another sip.

Similar to the traditional cuvée, only deep and richer, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvedre, from limestone and pebble soils, completely destemmed and aged all in oak tanks (tronconique). Medium to full-bodied, rich and concentrated, with a fabulous texture, it offers up classic notes of ground pepper, tobacco leaf, saddle leather and sweet black cherry fruit. My note finishes with “Love it”. This beauty will have 15+ years of longevity.

If you can find any, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes, which comes from nearly 80-year-old vines planted in sandy and limestone soils, is a blend of 85% Grenache aged in foudres and 15% Mourvedre aged in small oak casks. The 2007 version of this wine is prodigious, but this is close and may even eclipse that wine, but time will be the final arbiter. Dense purple, with a full-bodied mouthfeel, loads of blackberry fruit, intense kirsch, oodles of licorice, lavender, and garrigue notes, this is layered, sumptuous, full-throttle wine with good acidity, sweet, moderate tannin, and a skyscraper-like mouthfeel and finish. Drink this sensational wine over the next 20-25 years. It is one of the great wines of the vintage. This estate, run by Yannick and Corinne Gasparri, is at the top of its game, as recent vintages over the last decade have all been very strong. The introduction of the two special cuvees, the Cuvee Vieilles Vignes and the Mourvedre-dominated Secret de L’Ange, provides further evidence of their talent and access to fabulous fruit. The 2010s are brilliant wines across the board. Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173

The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes (from 70- to 80-year-old vines planted in sand and limestone soils) is composed of 85% Grenache and 15% Mourvedre aged in old small oak. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by a full-bodied, dense, surprisingly forward wine. This generous 2009 is already easy to drink (atypical for this cuvee) yet is capable of lasting for another decade. This excellent estate has come on strongly over the last 5-6 years under the leadership of proprietors Yannick and Corinne Gasparri. 2010 appears to be this domaine’s strongest vintage since the brilliant 2007s. Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173