2011 Cornas Lieu Dit Patou

Slightly closed aromatically, the 2011 Cornas Lieu-Dit Patou reluctantly gives up black raspberry, spice and underbrush qualities as well as a nicely concentrated, yet slightly straightforward profile on the palate. It possesses impressive purity of fruit, as well a solid mid-palate depth, so give it another year or so in the cellar. Across the board, this is a superb lineup of wines that delivers high quality at all price points. Run by the team at Chapoutier, headed by Pierre-Henri Morel, the wines are made by Damien Brisset. This was a large tasting and I've simply listed the wines in the order we went through them. Within a vintage, the wines are broken up into three categories, the traditional releases, the Lieu-Dit releases, and the selections parcellaires releases. The 2011s are slightly softer and more streamlined than the 2012s. As a whole, they offer charming, supple and more medium-bodied profiles that will reward earlier drinking. Looking at the traditional releases in 2011, these wines show classic, yet approachable and delicious characters. In most cases they represent good value. Importer: A French Paradox, Peoria, IL; tel. (309) 682-8994

Inky purple. Pungent dark berries, olive and licorice on the nose. Lush, potent blackberry and cassis flavors pick up notes of candied violet and Indian spices with air, along with a note of cracked pepper. Youthfully taut and chewy on the finish, which features dusty tannins and a lingering floral nuance.