VM96: Opaque garnet. Expressive cherry, black raspberry and incense aromas are complemented by building floral and exotic spice nuances. Sappy, seamless and penetrating in the mouth, offering appealingly sweet red and dark berry liqueur and candied lavender flavors that deepen as the wine open up. Shows resonating red fruit character on the wonderfully persistent, floral-driven finish, which is framed by polished, interwoven tannins.

JD95-97: Always the most elegant wine on the lineup, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Reserve Auguste Favier is mostly Grenache yet has a solid amount of Cinsault, and it can include a splash of Mourvèdre in some vintages. This beauty offers deeper, richer notes of redcurrants, bouquet garni, and earth, full-bodied richness, a smoky, meaty character, plenty of mid-palate stuffing, and a great finish.