2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge Château La Nerthe

Tank Sample. Deep, ripe core of fruit and tannin punctured by a tremulous acid line. Vibrant, juicy blackberry and black cherry fruits, with fragrant violet end. Light on its feet and very drinkable.

An impressive nose with beautifully expressed ripe red cherry and raspberry fruits amid hints of wild herbs and subtly played spicy oak. The palate is seamless and holds pure red cherry and raspberry fruit long. Drink now.

The 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape offers lots of black cherry, subtle strawberry, garrigue and white pepper in its fresh, medium to full-bodied, pretty style. It needs more flesh, but it's certainly an elegant wine that will evolve gracefully. The blend is 50% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 25% Syrah and the rest Cinsault and it was aged all in wood.

Vivid ruby-red. High-pitched, mineral-accented red berry and floral aromas are complicated by suggestions of allspice and licorice. Juicy and focused on the palate, displaying impressive energy and lift to the raspberry and bitter cherry flavors. Rich yet lithe, carrying no excess weight. Smooth tannins build slowly through a very long, spice- and floral-tinged finish.