Now under the ownership of the Guigal family, the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape from Domaine de Nalys makes the purchase look even shrewder. It's a lovely effort, filled with black cherry and plum fruit and accented by hints of leather and spice. Only moderately tannic, the blend of eight grape varieties shines on the silky, fresh finish.

Showing well in the vintage, the 2014 Chateauneuf du Pape is also charming and forward, with moderate depth and richness, yet lots of sweet red fruits, spice and floral aromas and flavors that develop nicely in the glass. Possessing no hard edges and about as gulpable as they come, plan on drinking bottles over the coming 4-6 years

The 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape checks in as a blend of 54% Grenache, 32% Syrah and the rest a mix of permitted varieties. Aged in a combination of stainless steel, concrete and foudre, it’s a ripe, sweetly fruited effort that offers up notions of mulled blackberries, sweet cherries, licorice and garrigue. This is followed by a medium-bodied wine that has an upfront, supple, hard-to-resist character that will make it ideal for consuming over the coming 5-7 years.

Looking at the reds and a good effort, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape offers up plenty of olive, pepper, leafy herbs and dark styled fruit in a medium-bodied, textured and supple package. Enjoy this traditional effort over the coming 5-7 years. Drink now-2020. A large estate that encompasses upward of 125 acres on the eastern side of the appellation, Domaine de Nalys produces relatively modern-styled efforts that show tinges of oak and easy-drinking, supple profiles. Importers: Bayfield Importing, Long Island City, NY; tel. (718) 482-0200; DB Wine Selection, Wellesley Hills, MA; tel. (508) 405-1868; Franklin Spirits and Fine Wine, San Jose, CA

The largest production cuvee (nearly 13,000 cases), the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape is a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah and the rest the other authorized varietals mostly aged in cement tanks and old foudres. It exhibits dark fruit, tapenade, black cherry liqueur, licorice and garrigue notes along with low acidity, medium to full body and a supple texture. Already drinkable, it should last for 7-10 years. Domaine de Nalys is one of the larger estates in Chateauneuf du Pape having over 125 acres in the eastern sector of the appellation. An historical estate, their white Chateauneuf du Pape has long been considered one of the finest of the appellation. All three of the 2010 red wines are undeniably made in a modern style emphasizing purity, abundant fruit and a forward accessibility. Importers: Bayfield Importing, Long Island City, NY; tel. (718) 482-0200; DB Wine Selection, Wellesley Hills, MA; tel. (508) 405-1868; Franklin Spirits and Fine Wine, San Jose, CA