A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault, the 2020 Cotes du Rhone features slightly floral, rose-like scents, plus hints of garrigue and black cherries. Medium to full-bodied, it's silky and approachable, a charming, fruit-forward wine to drink over the next 5 years or so.

The supple, full-bodied 2018 Cotes du Rhone is a blend of 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 15% each Carignan and Mourvèdre. Black cherries lead the way, accented by hints of licorice and chocolate in a wine that's easy to like and easy to drink.

Bottled just a week before my visit, the 2017 Cotes du Rhone contains just 40% Grenache. There's 20% each Mourvèdre and Syrah, with the balance a mix of Carignan and Cinsault. Raised exclusively in concrete vats and foudres, it's a juicy, mouthwatering mixed bowl of blueberries and cherries that should please most palates. Medium to full-bodied, it features a plump, appealing texture and silky tannins. Despite pumping up the blend with other varieties, the shortage of Grenache this year means that production was down by 20%. It should still be a relative bargain.

Bottled just two weeks before I tasted it, the 2016 Cotes du Rhone was singing nonetheless. Mainly Grenache, it shows great cherry fruit, ample weight, silky tannins and just a hint of chocolate on the finish. Already delicious, it should drink well over the next 5 or 6 years.

The 2015s all show more elegant profiles than in the past, at the expense of some texture and richness. The 2015 C?tes du Rh?ne was bottled early in August and is mostly Grenache, brought up in foudre and concrete tanks. It’s a deliciously fruit-forward, medium to full-bodied effort that has tons of darker fruits, pepper and wild herb aromas and flavors. Drink it over the coming 3-4 years