Cedric Chignard's chewy Juliénas is the darkest wine in this group, with the firm spine that comes from old vines in hard, rocky terrain.

Limpid ruby. Intensely perfumed cherry, black raspberry and violet aromas are sharpened by suggestions of smoky minerals and cracked pepper. In a weighty yet energetic style, offering sharply defined blueberry and bitter cherry flavors that firm up slowly on the back half. Fine-grained tannins lend grip to the finish, which hangs on with impressive, floral-accented persistence.