Moving to the reds, and a beautiful 2011 that shows the best of the vintage, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape offers up loads of Asian spices, kirsch, ground herbs and cedar in a medium-bodied, sweetly fruity and balanced package. Complex and already drinking great, it should evolve gracefully for 8-10 years. Drink now-2021.
Run by the Favier family, this relatively large estate (100 acres spread throughout the appellation) continues to produce a bevy of outstanding wines. While there was no Vieilles Vignes cuvee released in 2011, the 2012 is up there with the creme de la creme of the vintage.
Importers: David Bowler Wine (212) 807-1680; Elite Estates, Braintree, MA; tel. (781) 348-8000 and Wine Adventures, West Des Moines, IA; tel. (515) 222-0866