2015 Domaine de Beaurenard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Boisrenard Reserve

This cuvée seems to be getting less oaky, as only 10% of the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Boisrenard went into new barrels. The dark plum and cola flavors are still coated with a heavy dusting of baking spices, while the texture is rich and velvety. There's a bit of dried-fruit character and a long but heavy and warm finish, hence my reluctance to rate the wine higher. It's still of excellent quality overall.

Youthful purple. Heady, smoke- and spice-accented red and dark fruit preserve and potpourri scents; a bright mineral flourish adds vivacity. Stains the palate with sweet, energetic black raspberry, cherry and lavender pastille flavors that deepen and spread out as the wine opens up. Smoothly plays richness off vivacity and shows no rough edges. The floral note carries emphatically through a wonderfully long, seamless finish that's given shape by gentle, harmonious tannins.

Beau Renard, Cabrières, Coteau de l’Ange. 66% Grenache Noir, Blanc and Gris, 12% Mourvèdre, 12% Syrah, 1% Bourboulenc, 1% Cinsault, 1% Clairette, 1% Clairette Rose and Counoise, 1% Muscardin, 1% Picardan, 1% Picpoul Blanc, 1% Picpoul Gris, Picpoul Noir and Roussanne, 1% Terret Noir, 1% Vaccarèse. Destemmed. Vinified at 28 °C in tronconic vats (95%) and new barriques (5%). Aged for 18 month, 50% in old barriques, 40% in foudres and 10% in new barriques. pH 3.64, TA 3.52 g/l. Tasted blind. Dark crimson. Very ripe elderberry flavours on the nose. Some transparency and lift on the palate with some fine, polished tannins on the end. For the moment a little dominated by acidity on the back palate but it should develop well. (JR)