4 | Wine | Red Rhone Blend, 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

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

"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."

"Deep red. Aromas of red fruits, rose, lavender and cracked pepper, with a smoky overtone. Tangy redcurrant and raspberry flavors show very good clarity and pick up a subtle floral pastille quality with air, along with a touch of botanical herbs. Closes with good energy and cut and a note of tangy berry."

"It has a lovely ripe blackberry, white pepper and rosemary scented bouquet that is well defined and natural. The palate is well balanced with supple ripe red fruit that is silky smooth in texture. It has very good weight with a sweet, pastille-like finish that is fresh and alluring."

"Displays an inky/purple color along with a dense nose of black fruits, forest floor, acacia flowers, pepper and licorice. It possesses fabulous fruit on the attack and mid-palate, beautiful ripeness (especially for a 2011), and a soft, well-made, opulent finish."

"Inky purple. Spice-accented aromas and flavors of blackberry, boysenberry and licorice, with black pepper and mineral nuances. Juicy and precise, finishing with very good energy and lingering spiciness. This is still a baby."

"The uncomplicated, luscious, round, medium-bodied, pure, endearing 2011 Cotes du Ventoux is loaded with strawberry and cherry fruit. It is made primarily from Grenache with some Syrah included in the blend to provide a deeper color as well as more weight." -Robert Parker

"Torbreck’s 2011 Cuvee Juveniles presents a medium garnet-purple color and vibrant aromas of raspberry preserves, kirsch, black and white pepper and smoked bacon with just a hint of damp loam. Full-bodied with plenty of juicy red berry preserve flavors, it has a medium level of silky tannins, refreshing acid acidity and a long peppery finish. Delicious now, it should keep to 2016+."