A terrific effort in a difficult year, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Chante le Merle Vieilles Vignes continues to drink superbly. There's just a hint of brick to this wine, which is slow to open on the nose, eventually delivering some sweet, plummy fruit. Full-bodied, rich and velvety, this comes across as still reasonably young, with up to a decade more of potential longevity. - Joe Czerwinski

Lovely black tea and smoldering charcoal notes lead the way, with a core of plum, blackberry and black currant fruit lending sinew to the flesh, resulting in a well-defined, plum skin-framed finish. Best from 2015 through 2027. 400 cases made. –JM