4 | Wine | France, 86 to 90, 2011

"Sweet kirsch liqueur intermixed with notions of smoky camphor and roasted meats are followed by a powerful as well as elegant, opaque purple-colored wine with deep fruit, medium to full body and a long finish. With abundant glycerin and fresh, it is a sexy red to enjoy over the next 2-3 years."-Robert Parker

"There is also a salty sea breeze character reminiscent of the crushed oyster shell-like note my colleague David Schildknect often detects in Loire Valley whites. This crisp, fresh, medium-bodied Cotes Catalanes exhibits lots of earthy/terroir characteristics. Readers should think of it as a brisk, zesty, authoritatively flavored Chardonnay from the cool, alluvial soils on the banks of the Aigly River." -Robert Parker

"A faint lactic note on the nose, along with grapefruit, flowers and spearmint. Good cut to its grapefruit and mineral flavors. Finishes fresh and firm."

"The 2011 Cotes du Rhone Belleruche exhibits classic framboise notes, a light, vibrant, florescent pink color, excellent texture and a dry finish." -Robert Parker

"A mouthfilling core of plum sauce and blackberry paste is backed by charcoal and anise on the finish. Solid, direct, pure and driven."

"Tasted from tank, into which it had been assembled just two weeks beforehand, the Morin 2011 Sancerre Vieilles Vignes – which will as usual be a cuvee solely for the U.S. market, and bottled unfiltered – brims with bright lime and grapefruit; apple and honeydew melon, offering a lovely balance between lees-enrichment and refreshing vivacity. There is a chalky sense of mineral impingement to the vibrantly zesty, invigorating, yet persistently succulent finish of this buoyant (incidentally, 12.7% alcohol) Sancerre that should drink well for the next 3-4 years if not beyond."

"Bright ruby. Zesty red berry aromas and flavors with a spicy note that gains strength with air. Taut and linear on the finish, which has good focus but a slightly tart edge. I also tried the 2010 version of this wine and found it too reduced to rate with any confidence."

"The 2011 Cotes du Rhone Blanc is a kitchen sink blend with plenty of Grenache Blanc mixed with other white varietals. Revealing a perfumed bouquet of flowers, quince, white currants and wet stones, it is a fresh, medium-bodied, excellent example of how far high quality white winemaking has come in the southern Rhone. Enjoy it over the next year." -Robert Parker

"A stunning, dry Vouvray (although I suspect there is a touch of residual sugar), this 2011 possesses a flamboyant nose of peaches, orange marmalade, lemon custard and spring flowers. Medium-bodied, elegant, and totally satisfying both intellectually and on the palate, this white wine should drink nicely for several years." -Robert Parker