Two-thirds Grenache and one-third Syrah, all raised in tank, the 2018 Cotes du Rhone Roc Epine is a fun, bouncy wine, filled with cherries and raspberries, yet it has savory underpinnings of black olives and earth. Medium to full-bodied, it's supple and easygoing, with plenty of intensity and length for a simple C?tes du Rh?ne.

Still in tank when I tasted it, the 2017 Cotes du Rhone Roc Epine is a 60-40 blend of Grenache and Syrah. Cola, blueberries, black pepper and licorice notes all mingle easily on the nose and medium to full-bodied palate. Still youthfully firm and edgy, with a bit of dissolved carbon dioxide present in the sample, it should be ready to drink soon after bottling and drink well through 2024.

A terrific value (like so many C?tes du Rh?ne bottlings from 2016), the 2016 Cotes du Rhone Roc Epine features lovely scents of ripe cherries and dried spices. It's medium to full-bodied, with a plush, creamy texture that turns silky and spicy on the long finish. Seek it out by the case and drink it over the next 4-5 years.

The 2015 C?tes du Rh?ne, which is already in bottle, is a classic blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah that’s brought up all in stainless steel. It’s a medium-bodied, charming red that has lots of dark fruits, peppery herbs and earth aromas and flavors. Drink it over the coming couple of years.