One of the stars of the vintage and coming from absurdly low yields of 18 hectoliters per hectare, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape is a full-bodied, seamless effort that exhibits copious kirsch, ground pepper, dried flowers and underbrush as well as incredibly fine tannin, great mid-palate concentration and ample length on the finish. Relatively forward by this estate’s standards, it will be approachable at an earlier age than normal. Nevertheless, it will have 20+ years of evolution and is an awesome effort in the vintage. Drink 2015-2030.
96 points – Jeb Dunnuck (Wine Advocate #209, Oct 2013)

Coming from smaller-than-normal yields of 18 hectoliters per hectare, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape is drinking well. According to proprietor Paul-Vincent Avril, it's a "normal blend" for the estate. Scents of leather, pressed flowers and black cherries emerge from the glass, while the in the mouth, the wine is full-bodied and silky, and it adds a complex note of Mourvèdre-derived truffle-mushroom-tree bark on the finish. Drink now and over the next decade.

I tasted the 2011 wine here in its four basic components, drawn from different foudres, followed by a sample of what Avril believes will be the final blend. #1: 75% grenache, 15% syrah and 10% mourvedre; intense, spice-accented red fruit aromas, with a sexy floral nuance and good back-end cut. #2: 50% syrah, 45% grenache and 5% everything else; richer and more masculine, offering deep dark fruit flavors and a hint of bitter chocolate; more serious than the first component but less precise and graceful. #3: 65% grenache and 35% syrah; graceful and silky in texture, offering vibrant red fruit and floral aromas and flavors. Very fresh, in an intriguing, pinot-like way, with excellent cut and length. #4: 65% grenache, 30% mourvedre and 5% syrah; emphatically spicy, with deep cherry and raspberry flavors and a hint of anise. The spiciness builds with air and carries through impressively. The final blend is bright ruby red with a heady bouquet of candied red fruits, potpourri and allspice, along with musky herb and mineral elements. Sappy and precise, with vibrant black raspberry and cherry flavors given lift by zesty acidity. Finishes clean and very long, with resonating floral and spice notes and harmonious tannins.

Deep crimson. Rich and spicy with lots of kirsch aromas. Very round and informed by Mourvèdre gaminess. So charming and open one could drink it today. Masses of sweet brooding fruit. Very southern Rhône rather than burgundian. (JR)