Tasted from magnum at the domaine, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is among the top few wines of this maligned vintage. Despite being one of the most alcoholic years ever recorded at the estate, there's no trace of heat, just a magical mix of ripe cherries and garrigue on the nose, plus a wonderfully supple, silky mouthfeel and a minutes-long finish. While I would recommend drinking this wine over the next few years from 750-milliliter bottles, this magnum showed magnificently, with potential to age well through at least 2030.

Even more impressive and mostly likely one of the top 10-12 wines in the vintage, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is an up-front, sexy and perfumed blend of close to 100% Grenache. Possessing notions of kirsch liqueur, raspberry, creamy licorice and crushed flowers, it is full-bodied, nicely concentrated and has an overall hedonistic, seamless profile that's hard to resist. I don't think it will make old bones though, and it should be at its best during its first 10-12 years of life. Don't let that deter you though as this is one delicious thrill ride of Grenache. Drink now-2023. Located in the northern part of the appellation and covering more than 40 acres in Chateauneuf du Pape, this impeccably run estate is managed by Sisters Sophie and Catherine Armenier. The winemaking here is a mix of both traditional and modern techniques, with Grenache seeing mostly concrete tank and stainless steel, and Syrah and Mourvedre both seeing time in smaller barrels. Complete destemming, pump overs as opposed to punch downs, and inoculation are all the norm here. In addition to these fantastic new releases, don't miss the 2010s from this estate. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565

Bright purple. An explosive bouquet of dark berry preserves, incense and candied lavender, Fleshy and seamless, offering palate-staining black raspberry and blueberry flavors that are lifted by juicy acidity. Rich but energetic, with superb finishing clarity and spicy persistence.

The gorgeous 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is composed of 98% Grenache and small dollops of Cinsault and other varietals from 90- to 100-year-old vines grown in three sectors of Chateauneuf du Pape, La Crau, Gallimardes and Esquirons. Another candidate for the wine of the vintage, it is a full-bodied red revealing copious amounts of creme de cassis and black raspberries as well as a surprising viscosity and chewiness for the vintage. This superb wine should drink nicely for 10-15 years. It is a major sleeper of the vintage. (Not yet released) One of the classic family-owned domaines in Chateauneuf du Pape (of which there are many), Domaine de Marcoux is run by two dynamic sisters, Sophie and Catherine Armenier. The estate, which can trace its history back to 1344, has only been estate bottling since 1978. It owns over 40 acres, all of which have been biodynamically farmed since the early 1990s as this was one of the first properties to move to this strict style of farming. Both cuvees of Chateauneuf du Pape were made in 2011, and in a year that saw a relatively large crop, yields were reduced at Marcoux, averaging 22 liters per hectare. They had to do a Draconian-like triage on the grapes during the harvest. The 2010s are very successful at Domaine de Marcoux. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565