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

The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige is composed of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvedre aged in 600-liter demi-muids and older barrels. Full-bodied with notes of ground pepper, incense, sweet black cherries and black currants, this is an ageworthy, structured effort meant for long-term aging. Purchasers will need to wait 3-4 years for it to round into shape and drink it over the following 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

A selection made from purchased grapes, the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige is vinified in old barrels, and then moved to equal amounts of small oak and tanks. A blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah, it is a rich, full-bodied, opulent effort displaying abundant black raspberry and black cherry fruit and a long, spicy finish with moderate tannin. It should evolve for 10-15+ years. (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