2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge, Château de Beaucastel, Rhône Unit of Measure:1 X 750ML Independent bottlings of Balmenach are

Independent bottlings of Balmenach are as rare and fleeting as a winter snowfall here on St

balanced and impressively lingering finish

the weather finally became dry and hot in July

The essence of our master blender's work is captured by photographer Lindsay Robertson's evocative images

2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge, Château de Beaucastel, Rhône Unit of Measure:1 X 750ML Independent bottlings of Balmenach areThe component tasting is always instructive, but sometimes quite exacting: with the 2015, it was far from it. With the possible exception of the youthful and slightly austere Syrah, much of which had been fermented with stems, the other varietals were all gloriously expressive. From the red fruit charm of the Cinsault and the white pepper grip of the Counoise to the fleshy, fulsome Grenache and the smoky, blue fruit velvet of the Mourvdre, all was