The 2017 Cote Rotie la Garde is herbal and even almost grassy on the nose, but it also boasts riper notes of black olives and blackberries. Medium to full-bodied, it's rich and concentrated, with a velvety feel on the palate and ample length.

The sturdiest of the 2016 offerings from Bonserine, the 2016 Cote Rotie la Garde is richly tannic but ripe, with a velvety mouthfeel that complements the wine's dark meaty flavors. Hints of flowers and asphalt add welcome complexity to this medium to full-bodied wine that should drink well for 10-15 years.

The super ripe 2015 Cote Rotie la Garde comes close to being over-the-top but reins in its grilled plum and cassis notes just in time. It's full-bodied and rich, with a creamy-textured mid-palate and some firm tannins on the finish, but the fruit comes through in the end. Give it a couple of years to shed some tannin, and drink it over the next 15 years.

Moving to the 2014s, these were all outstanding wines that have impressive density and depth. The 2014 C?te R?tie La Garde is a broad, expansive, forward effort (much more so than the Viallière) that has medium-bodied richness and depth, supple tannin and classy notes of blackberries, plums, toasted spices and hints of barrique. It’s drinking beautifully today, yet will keep for at least a decade