2017 Domaine des Escaravailles Rasteau Rhone, France

The 2017 Rasteau la Ponce is an 80-20 blend of Grenache and Syrah, with the Syrah aged in oak. The result offers notes of blackberries and black cherries on the nose, plenty of weight and a creamy texture on the palate, and a long, lush finish. It's wonderfully ripe, without going over the top. Tasted twice (once blind), with generally consistent notes, although one bottle showed more chocolate-espresso notes and finished slightly harder than the other. Drink 2019-2025.

92 Points Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate

Beautifully complex, with notes of lavender, bay leaf, orange peel, and spice, the 2017 Rasteau La Ponce is medium to full-bodied, has silky tannin, terrific purity, and a great finish. It's a year in, year out smoking value, and 2017 isn’t going to be an exception.

92-94 Points JebDunnuck