Roughly one-third each Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah, from three different lieux-dits, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Coralie et Floriane boasts subtle herbal nuances of garrigue on the nose, joined by notes of rose petals, lavender, cherries and raspberries. Full-bodied, supple and creamy on the palate, this is darn good stuff, with a long, silky finish. The 15% new barriques (the bulk of the wine was raised in demi-muids and stainless steel) may contribute to the wine's fabulous texture, but they don't impose on the fruit, which delivers remarkable purity.

Much more backward and quasi-international in style is the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Coralie et Floriane. This wine is equal parts Grenache, Mourvedre, and Syrah from very old vines, with some new oak in the upbringing process. The wine is backward, dark ruby purple, with tannin, toast, black fruits, chocolate, and even a hint of espresso roast in what clearly is a relatively modern take on Chateauneuf du Pape. Give it another 1-2 years of bottle age and drink it over the next 10-15 years. This is a good-sized estate of nearly 40 acres, with many different parcels spread out all over the appellation, despite the name Pignan, which of course comes from the lieu-dit Pignan near Chateau Rayas.Importer: Martine’s Wines, Novato, CA; tel. (415) 883-0400