Terrific, red berries and red plums with an array of wild, mountain herbs on offer. There’s a spicy, almost peppery thread through the palate. The tannins arrive in pastry-like layers. Superb. From organically grown grapes. Drink in 2020.

Score: 94 James Suckling (JS), JamesSuckling.com, August 2018

The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Barbe Rac is 100% Grenache, but this parcel is located on the western edge of the appellation, in what Chapoutier describes as a hot, dry location—even in the context of the appellation. From vines planted in 1901-1902, this is a dense, plummy wine, oozing with concentrated fruit and even turning a bit fudge-like on the long, supple finish. I don´t expect it to age quite as well as the Croix de Bois, but it´s still a thrilling wine.

Michel Chapoutier´s vinous empire now extends all around the world, but nowhere are his roots deeper than in the Rhône Valley. Here in the south, he and his various enterprises and partnerships produce a dizzying array of wines, although still fewer than in the north. For well-heeled collectors, the wines of most interest are the two sélections parcellaires from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but for wine drinkers, there are attractive bottlings at all price points. "It´s important to take the challenge of making inexpensive wine at high quality," he told me as we started our tasting.

Score: 96 Joe Czerwinski (JC), The Wine Advocate (WA), November 2017

Lurid ruby. An explosively perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red berries, candied lavender, incense and Asian spices. Concentrated raspberry, cinnamon, floral pastille and rhubarb flavors stain the palate and show an alluring sweetness and strong energy on the back half. Plays power off finesse with a deft hand and finishes extremely long and spicy; well-knit tannins make a late appearance.

Score: 93-95 Josh Raynolds (JR), Vinous Media (VM), March 2017