Jean-Luc Colombo : La Louvée 2011

La Louvée is the down-to-earth, slightly more rugged counterpart to the elegant, precise, filigreed les Ruchets: generous and spicy in character, full-bodied in build, with ripe tannins and a dense, full finish; let it mature a little longer.

This drips with cassis, blackberry pâte de fruit and plum sauce flavors, maintaining terrific verve. The iron spine and bay leaf- and sweet tapenade–fueled finish keeps this grounded. Long and sleek, with mouthwatering acidity stitching everything together. Best from 2016 through 2026. 260 cases made.

Bright purple. Fresh black raspberry and blueberry aromas are complemented by dried violet, anise and olive. Chewy dark fruit flavors show very good concentration and clarity, along with a sweet vanilla touch on the back half. Finishes with chewy, mineral-accented cherry and cassis flavors and excellent persistence.

Plummy and ripe, with a sheen of glossy, cedary oak, this is as plush as it gets in the northern Rhône. It's full-bodied, supple and open, with a long, velvety finish. Drink now–2030.