1 | Wine | Page 392

"Gorgeous kirsch liqueur notes, raspberry jam, forest floor, spice box, new saddle leather and a peppery spiciness are all present in this deep, voluptuously textured, open-knit Clos des Papes, which is atypically forward, luscious and approachable already. These wines often need a good 5-10 years of cellaring in the more structured vintages, but the 2009 is gorgeous from the get-go. This full-bodied, deep, concentrated wine has a deep purple color and should drink well for 20-25 years without ever really closing down." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2011 Three Gardens SMG shows aromas of red currants, red plums and cassis with nuances of black pepper, tree bark, orange peel, and Provence herb. Medium to full bodied, it is very spicy in the mouth with plenty of red and black fruit framed by refreshing acid, a medium level of velvety tannins and a long finish."

"This exotic red boasts notes of black truffles, roasted meats, charcuterie, incense, blackberries and black cherry liqueur intermixed with hints of roasted herbs and licorice. Full-bodied, dense and as concentrated as the estate’s extraordinary 2007, the spectacular 2010 needs 2-4 years of cellaring, and will age gracefully over the following two decades." -Robert Parker

"An incredibly subtle perfume of black raspberries, creme de cassis, camphor, and acacia flowers is followed by an elegant, concentrated wine with beautifully integrated acidity, tannin, wood, and alcohol. This seamless, gorgeously-proportioned, large-framed wine represents the definition of finesse, elegance, and terroir." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Fabulously rich, dense and well-balanced in this vintage. The Costa Grimaldi is made from a parcel of the Via Nuova vineyard in Barolo at 350 meters above sea level with a sheltered south-east exposure that provides respite in warmer years. This shows tons of vintage character in its racy, elegant fruit and silky tannins, along with superb depth and intensity, all of which have been achieved in a fairly restrained style. This is a fabulous effort from Einaudi."

"The 2011 Castell de Raimat Chardonnay has a crisp white peach and lime leaf nose with fine definition. The palate has an effervescent, sorbet-like entry with a fine citric edge and attractive peach and melon notes towards the crisp finish."