A custom importer blend and a wine I normally find to be very close in quality to the traditional cuvee, the 2011 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Girard is a step up in this vintage. Comprised of 85% Grenache, 5% Mourvedre and the balance an assortment of varieties, it exhibits an inky purple color to go with rocking aromas and flavors of blackberries, currants, toasted spice, graphite and licorice. Aged all in concrete (Mourvedre in barrel), this medium to full-bodied 2011 has surprising depth and richness, with loads of fruit, excellent mid-palate depth and sweet tannin that reins in the finish nicely. It will hit prime time in another year or three and drink nicely through 2021. Drink 2014-2021. Covering 45 acres (37 in red and the rest planted to white varieties) spread throughout Chateauneuf du Pape, this top-notch estate has been run by Raymond Usseglio’s son, Stephane, since 2004, with consulting help from Xavier Vignon. These wines are consistently outstanding and warrant serious attention. Importer: Weygandt-Metzler; tel. (610) 486-0700