Château de la Gardine Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2012

Bright violet color. Dark berries, woodsmoke, licorice and dried flowers on the assertive nose. Fresh and energetic, offering sweet blueberry and blackberry flavors that gain spiciness and power with air. Zesty acidity adds focus and bite to the long, sappy, fruit-driven finish shaped by dusty tannins. Score - 90-92. (Josh Raynolds, International Wine Cellar, Jan./Feb. 2014)