Montirius Le Clos Vacqueyras 2011

(a 50/50 blend of grenache and syrah that was completely destemmed and raised in concrete tanks): Dark purple. Heady, complex bouquet of fresh cherry, boysenberry, white pepper and potpourri, plus a bright mineral overtone. Fleshy, broad and alluringly sweet, with intense black and blue fruit flavors complicated by lavender and allspice. Shows uncanny depth and power for the year--or for any year. Finishes with velvety tannins and superb persistence, leaving vibrant floral and spice notes behind. This was clearly the most promising Vacqueyras I tasted from the vintage; actually, it was one of the best 2011s I tasted from the entire southern Rhone Valley. Score - 92-94. (Josh Raynolds, International Wine Cellar, Jan. 2013)