Domaine Roche Domaine Roche Cairanne 2017 750ml

The raspberry and garrigue-scented 2018 Cairanne is an early-drinking charmer. Loaded with red berries, but with enough savory, herbal complexities on the long, softly dusty finish to keep it interesting, this medium to full-bodied effort may be drunk with pleasure over the next 4–5 years. (Joe Czerwinski)

The 2017 Cairanne is a blend of 65% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 10% Carignan. While a portion of the Syrah was aged in demi-muids, the rest of the wine matured in tank. It’s a ripe, plush, concentrated wine, loaded with black cherries and plums. Full-bodied and velvety, it’s impressively hedonistic stuff for drinking over the next 6–7 years.

The 2018 Cairanne is another winner from the talented Romain Roche that should snatched up by savvy readers. Beautiful cassis and black raspberry fruits, notes of crushed flowers and violets, medium to full body, and a ripe, sexy texture all make for a quintessential Cairanne that’s going to provide tons of pleasure over the coming 5–7 years.

Hints of smoke, caramel and crushed stone accent plum and blackberry flavors in this wine. Made from 70% Grenache augmented by 25% Syrah and 5% Carignan, it’s an opulent, easy-drinking red with a fresh, mineral finish. Best enjoyed now–2025. (Anna Lee C. Iijima)