2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes

One of the standout "tradition" bottlings, the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape from Domaine la Millière is a concentrated, chewy effort that should be hitting its stride around 2020. Full-bodied and intense, it offers up plenty of cherry fruit and cinnamon spice.

Bright ruby-red. An assertively perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red and blue fruits and shows subtle background notes of peppery spices and lavender. Plush and expansive on the palate, offering juicy raspberry, boysenberry and floral pastille flavors lifted by zesty acidity. The floral and spice notes drive a long, gently tannic finish that features a subtle touch of allspice.

The only Châteauneuf du Pape I was able to taste from the vintage, the 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is a meaty, peppery, olive and dark fruit-driven effort that has medium to full-bodied richness and a classic, old-school vibe. The blend is 60% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah, Mourvèdre, Counoise and Cinsault, all of which is aged in old foudres.