Country: France / Les Baptaurels
Variety: Rhône-style Red Blend Rhône Valley
Winery: Domaine la Mereuille / Châteauneuf-du-Pape
An oak-aged cuvée, this wine nevertheless exhibits tremendous fruit. An aroma of brandied black cherry leads the way along with hints of cinnamon and menthol, picking up notes of vanilla and cedar on the palate. This big wine boasts a velvety texture and plenty of finesse, although the cedary note stands a little apart on the finish. Give it another 2–3 years of cellaring.