The Carmina is Pierre Jean Villa’s blended bottling of Côte-Rôtie, which is made from a half hectare parcel of old vines (planted in 1959 and 1964) and two hectares of younger vines from the northern half of the appellation. The bottling is almost entirely syrah (there are a couple of viognier vines in one of the parcels that get tossed in) and the wine is raised in a combination of older casks and demi-muids. In most vintages, the Carmina will include thirty percent whole clusters. The 2016 version of Carmina is an excellent young bottle of Côte-Rôtie, offering up a classic nose of red and black raspberries, pepper, stony soil tones, a bit of nuttiness, roasted meats, coffee and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and beautifully soil-driven in personality, with a fine core of fruit, ripe, well-integrated tannins and lovely focus and grip on the long, balanced and nascently complex finish. This is going to be lovely. Drink 2026- 2065. 91+ points

Vivid purple. Spice- and smoke-accented red and dark berry preserve aromas are complemented by a suave floral nuance that builds as the wine opens up. Juicy, seamless and light on its feet; a minerally note adds spicy lift to sweet black raspberry, cherry and violet pastille flavors. Finishes supple and very long, with harmonious tannins adding gentle grip and shape to lingering dark fruit and spice notes. 93 points