The 2017 Rasteau la Ponce is an 80-20 blend of Grenache and Syrah, with the Syrah aged in oak. The result offers notes of blackberries and black cherries on the nose, plenty of weight and a creamy texture on the palate, and a long, lush finish. It's wonderfully ripe, without going over the top. Tasted twice (once blind), with generally consistent notes, although one bottle showed more chocolate-espresso notes and finished slightly harder than the other.