2011 Saint Prefert Chateauneuf Auguste Favier

Made from an interesting blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Cinsault is the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve Auguste Favier. The Cinsault component, which comes from old vines, gives both the 2010 and 2011 a floral/foresty character. The 2011 moves more toward the classic Provencal garrigue and roasted herb notes intermixed with lavender, kirsch and blacker fruits. It is a delicious, full-throttle, up-front effort that appears to be one of the most successful wines of the vintage. Starting in 2009, Isabel Ferrando began using 100% stems for most of her Grenache fermentations. 88-91 points