The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Roussanne Blanc is 100% Roussanne that’s brought up in new barrels. It’s a medium to full-bodied, rich, beautifully balanced white that has textbook notes of white flowers, apples, stone fruits and a touch of minerality. Despite being raised in new oak, I couldn’t find any obvious oak and this is a terrific white to drink over the coming 2-4 years.

Brotte’s 2014 Chateauneuf du Pape Domaine Barville Roussanne Blanc is a smokin’ effort that makes the most of the vintage. Made from 100% Roussanne (from the Beaurenard and Rayas lieux-dits) that was raised all in new oak for right months, it offers fabulous notes of tropical fruits, buttered citrus, brioche and a kiss of honeysuckle to go with a medium-bodied, textured, balanced style on the palate. It’s a rich, food-friendly wine that will shine on the dinner table over the coming 4-5 years (maybe more).

The top white of the estate, and coming all from Roussanne vinified and aged in barrel, the 2013 Chateauneuf du Pape Barville Roussanne Blanc offers more ripeness and texture than the straight white, with plenty of apple blossom, lemon curd, honeysuckle and salty minerality emerging from the glass. Medium to full-bodied, it has a beautiful mix of richness and freshness, with lively acidity and a clean finish. It should shine on the dinner table and I’d lean toward drinking bottles over the coming 3-4 years.

A rich, classy effort, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Roussanne (100% Roussanne) dishes out knockout aromas of sauteed apples, hints of pear and buttered almond to go with a juicy, fresh and pure feel in the mouth. Medium-bodied and both rich and fresh, it should be consumed over the coming 2-3 years, although it will probably last longer. Drink now-2016. These impressive wines are made by Laurent Brotte, with help from rock star consultant Philippe Cambie. They show beautiful levels of fruit, as well as classic, balanced profiles on the palate. Various American importers including Chrissa Imports, South San Francisco, CA; tel. (650) 877-8460; Opici Imports, Glen Rock, NJ; tel. (201) 689-3256; Margaux and Associates Fine Wines and Spirits, Dallas, TX; tel. (214) 380-1731; and Transat Trade, Gardena, CA; tel. (310) 516-6799

The 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Domaine Barville Roussanne Blanc exhibits a light gold color along with a nose of brioche, almond paste, candle wax and orange rind/marmalade. This rich, powerful, elegant, pure, fleshy, expansive, dry white will offer enjoyable drinking over the next few years. Laurent Brotte continues to take this historic negociant firm to higher and higher heights in Chateauneuf du Pape. No doubt the hiring of Philippe Cambie several years ago has aided in this dramatic improvement. My recent tastings here revealed very good 2011s and 2010s, the latter perhaps being the finest vintage I have yet tasted from Brotte. Various American importers including Chrissa Imports, South San Francisco, CA; tel. (650) 877-8460; Opici Imports, Glen Rock, NJ; tel. (201) 689-3256; Margaux and Associates Fine Wines and Spirits, Dallas, TX; tel. (214) 380-1731; and Transat Trade, Gardena, CA; tel. (310) 516-6799