More approachable, with perfumed notes of black licorice, sage and roasted meats balanced by a core of sweet black raspberry and cassis-styled fruit, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Trois Sources is medium-bodied, beautifully textured and possesses fine, polished tannin on the finish. Slightly more rounded and textured than the Les Hauts Lieux, this beauty comes from sandy soils (the same region where the Reserve comes from) located on a north-facing slope, at a slightly lower elevation than where the Les Hauts Lieux comes from. Perfumed, complex and rich, it should drink nicely for 10-12 years. Drink now-2023.
Located in the northern part of the appellation, in mostly sandy soils and a cooler terroir, Domaine de La Vieille Julienne is run by the incredibly talented Jean-Paul Daumen. In addition to his Chateauneuf and Cotes du Rhone releases, he started a negociant label call Daumen, with releases from Chateauneuf du Pape, Gigondas, Lirac and Cotes du Rhone. These are all high quality efforts and show the classic characteristics of the regions they come from. Looking at the Domaine de la Vieille Julienne releases, these 2011s and 2012s are some of the most exciting wines in the vintages and should not be missed!
Available in the U.S. through Vin Connect Inc., tel. (415) 857-5740; www.vinconnect.com