The 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige is composed of 85% Grenache and 15% Mourvedre aged in 600-liter demi-muids and older barrels. It comes primarily from La Crau. This big, boisterous, fleshy Chateauneuf reveals heady levels of glycerin and alcohol in addition to lots of incense, lavender, strawberries and black cherry jam with some balsam wood notes in the background. It will last for up to a decade.
Laurent Brotte continues to take this historic negociant firm to higher and higher heights in Chateauneuf du Pape. No doubt the hiring of Philippe Cambie several years ago has aided in this dramatic improvement. My recent tastings here revealed very good 2011s and 2010s, the latter perhaps being the finest vintage I have yet tasted from Brotte. Various American importers including Chrissa Imports, South San Francisco, CA; tel. (650) 877-8460; Opici Imports, Glen Rock, NJ; tel. (201) 689-3256; Margaux and Associates Fine Wines and Spirits, Dallas, TX; tel. (214) 380-1731; and Transat Trade, Gardena, CA; tel. (310) 516-6799