Along the same lines, yet with perhaps more purity and depth, the 2012 Vacqueyras Domaine de Montbayon dished out medium to full-bodied richness, loads of fruit and notable mid-palate density. Lively and fresh (which is a trait of the vintage), it’s a beauty to drink over the coming decade. Importer: Boisset America, St Helena, CA

A serious looking tank sample, the 2011 Vacqueyras Domaine de Montbayon is loaded with ripe berry and plum-styled fruit, leather and spice to go with a medium to full-bodied, decadent, textured and rich feel on the palate. Given the fruit and texture, it should be ready to go on release and be a crowd-pleaser for 4-6 years. Importer: Boisset America, St Helena, CA