CDP Reserve des Celestins, Domaine Henri Bonneau 2016

I loved this cuvée from barrel in 2017, and it certainly impresses from bottle (which was purchased while in the Rhône) today, offering a liquid Provence-like vibe in its garrigue laced red and black fruits, candied flowers, pepper, saddle leather, and who knows what else aromatics. Rich, powerful, and concentrated on the palate, it brings serious ripeness, sweet tannins, and a slightly lifted, exotic style that opens up beautifully with time in the glass. It will evolve for over two decades.

The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve des Célestins is also deeply colored and impressive, with slightly darker fruits as well as the standard gamy, meaty, peppery profile that makes the estate so special. Possessing full-bodied richness, surprisingly bright acidity and fine tannin, it too is a rock-solid 2016 I look forward to tasting in the years to come.