With its lively red raspberry fruit, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape seems sure to surpass its older sibling. It`s still massively ripe, creamy and intense, but it`s fresher and livelier than the 2015. 92-94 points

(vat/barrel/casks, bottling Feb 2018) dark red robe. The bouquet is rich, with exotic spices and date-prune connotations, mulled raspberry fruits, licorice. The palate is savoury, holds lip smacking content which is solid and compactly packed in. There is an inner density that doesn’t show obviously on the surface. Mixed red fruits with black raisins and dried herbs mingle on the palate. It’s a big wine, for drinking from 2020, so it can show more variety and integration. 4*