After a long day of blind-tasting, it was a pleasant surprise to discover how well Louis Bernard's 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape performed. No, it's not a concentrated behemoth with decades of aging potential, but it's a charming representative of the appellation, offering up notes of brandied cherries and dried spices. Full-bodied and velvety, it's moderately concentrated, with soft tannins that don't require any additional aging.

Louis Bernard's 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape features attractive notes of garrigue and raspberries on the nose. A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, it's medium to full-bodied, silky and easy to drink, with flavors that fade quickly on the finish.

No, it's not that rich or complex, but this négociant's 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape offers perfumed scents of ripe raspberries, a taut, silky structure and some early-drinking charm balanced by slight astringency on the crisp finish. It's a solid, competent effort that shouldn't be very expensive.

Reassuringly back up to par, Louis Bernard's 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape offers hints of anise and cherry on the nose. A full-bodied blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre, it's creamy and lush on the palate, easing into notes of mocha and black tea on the finish.

A disappointing effort, this 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape displays lifted, nail polish notes on the nose and hints of apple skin and vinegar on the medium-bodied palate.