Hints of char, dried porcini and dark chocolate juxtapose concentrated blackberry and cassis in this rich, boldly structured Syrah. It's an intensely juicy sip highlighting ripe, luscious black fruit but balanced freshly too. Lingering earth tones and fine, persistent tannins mark a long finish. Approachable already it's sturdy enough to improve well through 2035.

Vivid purple. Heady aromas of fresh black and blue fruits, incense, peony, olive and black pepper show superb clarity and mineral lift. Sappy, sweet and lively on the palate, offering spice-laced blackberry, cherry preserve, floral pastille and bitter chocolate flavors that expand steadily on the back half. Deep and seamless in character, showing outstanding clarity and spicy thrust on a youthfully tannic finish that echoes the floral and blue fruit notes.

This has a ripe and fleshy feel, with blueberry, açaí and blackberry compote flavors at the core, laced with cocoa powder and smoldering tobacco notes. The plush feel recedes on the finish a touch as a cast-iron note creeps in, keeping this grounded. Very solid. Best from 2023 through 2035. 840 cases made, 250 cases imported.

The full-bodied 2016 Cornas les Ruchets can't match the la Louvée for sheer silkiness or perfume, but it delivers more savory complexity and richness. Smoky, meaty and plummy up front, this full-bodied effort adds hints of raspberries on the palate, then finishes long and velvety. It's a terrific wine for drinking over the next decade or so.