A blend of 75% Grenache and the rest equal parts Syrah and Mourvedre, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes, while not as full and powerful as the 2010, is a very strong effort for the vintage. It possesses lots of fruit, full-bodied richness, and impressive concentration as well as purity. It should drink well for 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

The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is mostly Grenache blended with a dollop of Syrah, all planted in 1964. It offers licorice, fig, black currant, incense, kirsch, new saddle leather and meaty characteristics. Full-bodied, dense and more supple and silky textured than the Cuvee Prestige, it, too, should drink well for two decades. This firm continues to dramatically improve the quality of its wines since Laurent Brotte, the grandson of the founder, Charles Brotte, took over management in 2000. Additionally, the brilliant Philippe Cambie is the consultant. Brotte is renowned for their non-vintage cuvee of Chateauneuf du Pape called La Fiole du Pape, which is usually a blend of three or four vintages and is sold in a misshapen, phony dust-covered bottle that undoubtedly horrifies purists. However, the wine is quite good, and to Laurent Brotte’s credit, they have started putting a lot number on the label. 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

Aged in old barrels for one year, the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is a selection of Grenache from 50+ year old vines. The least evolved of these wines, it reveals a deep ruby/purple color along with notes of spring flowers, ground pepper, incense, forest floor, underbrush and sweet black currants and cherries. Concentrated, backward and broodingly powerful with more obvious tannin, this 2009 should be forgotten for 3-4 years and consumed over the following two decades. (Not yet released) The Brotte family was among one of the first to estate bottle Chateauneuf du Papes in the early 1930s. Over recent years, under the guidance of Laurent Brotte, the grandson of the founder, Charles Brotte, quality has improved dramatically. Additionally, they have brought in the renowned consultant, Philippe Cambie. Brotte is still best known for their non-vintage, solera blend of Chateauneuf du Pape called La Fiole, which is a huge commercial success. The quality is very good in spite of the phoney dust or the twisted and bent bottle. All of the wines I recently tasted with Laurent Brotte are classy, well-made, high quality efforts. Brotte seems to go largely unnoticed in the American market, but that should change based on what they have been accomplishing over recent vintages. Various American importers based on the state in which you live: www.brotte.com

The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes possesses a dense ruby/purple color in addition to a glorious perfume of lavender, ground pepper, incense, black raspberries, and kirsch. Super-concentrated, full-bodied, deep, and long, this cuvee largely comes from old vines planted in the sandy soils of the sector known as Pignan. It was aged in 1, 2, and 3-year-old Burgundy barrels. Consume it over the next 10-15 years. In top vintages such as 2007, three cuvees of Chateauneuf du Pape are produced, all of which performed even better from bottle than they did last year. Various American importers: www.brotte.com

The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes possesses a dense ruby/purple color in addition to a glorious perfume of lavender, ground pepper, incense, black raspberries, and kirsch. Super-concentrated, full-bodied, deep, and long, this cuvee largely comes from old vines planted in the sandy soils of the sector known as Pignan. It was aged in 1, 2, and 3-year-old Burgundy barrels. Consume it over the next 10-15 years. In top vintages such as 2007, three cuvees of Chateauneuf du Pape are produced, all of which performed even better from bottle than they did last year.Various American importers: www.brotte.com