'The finest vintage to date, better even than the stellar 2010, the 2015 Crozes-Hermitage Domaine De Thalabert is a gorgeous, deep, layered and incredibly satisfying Crozes. Blackcurrants, olive tapenade, truffles and earthy notes all emerge from this full-bodied, gorgeously textured and seamless 2015. With fine tannin and no hard edges, it can be drunk today or cellaring for 15-20 years.' Jeb Dunnuck

"Replacing the Petit Chapelle cuvee and first made in 2015, the 2016 Hermitage La Maison Bleue is smoking good. Black fruits, charcoal, powdered rock, currants and chocolate notes all give way to a big, concentrated, impressively structures barrel sample that has tons of potential. I expect the tannin will have integrated by the time this is released, but a few years of bottle age still recommended." - Jeb Dunnuck

This Estate was created in 1960, at the place known as Crès Ricards, in the village of Ceyras. In 2010 Jean-Claude Mas acquired the 27 ha (69 acres) belonging to the Château, extending the estate to 42 ha in 2013. He was fascinated by the fantastic terroir of the Terrasses du Larzac, which produces silky wines with intense flavors. At the foot of Mont Baudile, 35 km to the west of Montpellier, this vineyard offers a unique geography. Yields are low because of the strict grape selection and carbonic maceration is used to produce generous wines. Made from 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache and matured in new and older French oak for 10 months. The wine is at once full bodied and fresh, with notes of intense black currant, black cherry and mocha gliding to a silky, rich finish.