The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve is a superb effort. Yes, there's oak, but it's balanced in proportion to the power and intensity of the ripe cherry fruit. This full-bodied wine is plush and velvety from start to finish, folding in hints of baking spices on the long, cherry-vanilla finish. It's approachable now, but I'd give it a couple of years to allow the oak to better integrate.

Seemingly much more classic in style than the Le Chataignier cuvee (although it is still brought up all in oak, with 20% of the blend in demi-muids and 80% in smaller barrels), the 2013 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve gives up lots of saddle leather, peppery herbs, smoked earth and chocolaty dark fruits in a medium to full-bodied, ripe, rounded and textured style. There’s a touch of Brettanomyces/barnyard here, but it has plenty of character.

An interesting blend of 68% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre and 2% Terret Noir, aged in 20% new oak, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve has a concentrated, medium to full-bodied profile to go with plenty of darker fruits, creamy licorice and roasted herbs. As with the classic cuvée, it has impressive sweetness to its tannin, an upfront, ripe feel and rock-solid length. Already approachable and delicious, I’d drink it over the coming 5-6 years.

Also quite good, with more spice, cedar, sandalwood and blackberry fruit, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve is a blend of 70% Syrah, 20% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre that was aged in demi-muids, some of which were new. It’s medium-bodied, nicely focused and shows a chewy, savory finish. Drink it over the coming 5-7 years. Drink now-2020. A large estate that encompasses upward of 125 acres on the eastern side of the appellation, Domaine de Nalys produces relatively modern-styled efforts that show tinges of oak and easy-drinking, supple profiles. Importers: Bayfield Importing, Long Island City, NY; tel. (718) 482-0200; DB Wine Selection, Wellesley Hills, MA; tel. (508) 405-1868; Franklin Spirits and Fine Wine, San Jose, CA

Loads of garrigue, plum sauce, Asian spice, balsam wood and kirsch jump from the glass of the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve. Interestingly, it is a blend of 70% Syrah, 15% Grenache and 15% Mourvedre, also aged in demi-muids. I would never have guessed it included this much Syrah based on the aromas of Provencal herbs, seaweed and dark cherries. Clearly the most concentrated wine of this trio, it is not made in a modern style, but rather is a well-made, classically Provencal red to enjoy over the next decade. Domaine de Nalys is one of the larger estates in Chateauneuf du Pape having over 125 acres in the eastern sector of the appellation. An historical estate, their white Chateauneuf du Pape has long been considered one of the finest of the appellation. All three of the 2010 red wines are undeniably made in a modern style emphasizing purity, abundant fruit and a forward accessibility. Importers: Bayfield Importing, Long Island City, NY; tel. (718) 482-0200; DB Wine Selection, Wellesley Hills, MA; tel. (508) 405-1868; Franklin Spirits and Fine Wine, San Jose, CA