Clos Saint Jean Tradition Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2011

The 2011s are superb across the board and certainly, at the top end, easily some of the most impressive wines in the vintage. Nevertheless, they're all stunning and readers should latch onto as many of these as they can. Starting off, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape (roughly 75% Grenache with the balance Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Muscardin and Vaccarese) is a fleshy, forward effort that offers up classic aromas and flavors of kirsch, ground herbs, white pepper and licorice, as well as full-bodied richness and depth on the palate. It will impress for upward of a decade. Drink now-2021. Score - 92. (Jeb Dunnuck, erobertparker.com, Oct. 2013)