According to Véronique Maret, 2011 was a fruit-forward, early-drinking vintage. "The last year, I worked with my father on the winemaking. We had some rain at the end of September." Despite that, Charbonniere's 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes shows no signs of fading. Luscious strawberry and herb aromas mark the nose, while the palate is full-bodied and silky and the long finish echoes with notes of salted licorice. Not tasted blind.