2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Tradition

Along the same lines, the smoking good 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition is a blend of 60% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 5% Mourvedre, from 50-to-80-year-old vines, with the Grenache and Mourvedre aged all in concrete and the Syrah in 2-to-6-year-old barrels. Knockout stuff, with sweet black currants, cassis, licorice, pepper and wild herbs, this full-bodied, supple and seamlessly textured beauty will drink nicely through 2021. Drink now-2021. This is a terrific lineup of wines by the brother and sister team of Marie and Francois Giraud. Their 2011s are certainly near the top of the vintage, with the 2012s looking just as good. In addition to releasing stunning reds, this estate always produces a terrific white. Marie produced three red Chateauneufs in 2012, with no Les Gallimardes due to the tiny quantity. During my tasting, Marie commented on the rain in late September and the difficulty in deciding when to pick. Opting to wait until after the rain for the majority of their plots, this spread the harvest out over five weeks as opposed to the normal two weeks. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565

Vivid red. Spicy raspberry and cherry aromas are complicated by suggestions of pungent herbs and flowers. Broad, sappy red berry flavors pack serious punch and are lifted by a refreshingly bitter blood orange quality. Finishes with gentle sweetness, soft tannins and a tangy white pepper note.