2011 Chateauneuf du Pape

Deep ruby. High-pitched aromas of red berries, flowers and peppery spices. Shows good depth and focus, offering lively raspberry and cherry flavors that become sweeter with air. The floral note comes back on a sweet, seamless finish.

65% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre. Leathery (Syrah?) nose. Very mellow and quite developed actually. Attractive fluid wine for relatively early drinking. (JR)

An outstanding effort, and the only Chateauneuf produced in the vintage, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape dishes out beautiful kirsch, spice-cake, white pepper and dried flower aromas and flavors with a sweetly fruited, medium-bodied and elegant overall profile. Nicely balanced and making the most of the vintage, this mid-weight, charming, yet classy red should shine over the coming 5-6 years. Drink now-2019. Oct 2013, www.robertparker.com