Showing more oak influence than it did a year ago, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape les Baptaurels has lots of sweet plum, mulled blackberry, licorice and vanilla bean to go with a full-bodied, ripe and seriously textured feel on the palate. Made all from old-vine Grenache located in the Cabrieres and Maucoil regions and aged 100% in barrel, it will benefit from short-term cellaring and have 10-12 years longevity.

The finest wine of this quartet is the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Baptaurels. Its deep ruby color is accompanied by a medium to full-bodied wine offering attractive spice box, cedar, black currant and cherry notes in an upfront, forward style meant to be drunk over the next 5-6 years. (Not yet released)Proprietor Michel Bruyer is making some progress as the Domaine La Mereuille wines rarely score highly enough to make it into The Wine Advocate. While the 2009s and 2010s are not inspirational efforts, they do represent a big jump in quality for this estate. No known American importer.

The luxury cuvee, the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Baptaurels exhibits more earth, pepper, spice box, loamy soil, kirsch and weedy herb-like characteristics. It, too, should be consumed over the next 3-4 years. Proprietor Michel Bruyer is making some progress as the Domaine La Mereuille wines rarely score highly enough to make it into The Wine Advocate. While the 2009s and 2010s are not inspirational efforts, they do represent a big jump in quality for this estate. No known American importer.