Chateauneuf du Pape 2011 (10 Best Bottles, Vintage Report, Taste)

Chateauneuf du Pape 2011 is considered a wine drinker’s vintage (not a collector’s vintage) and has incredible depth and ripe fruit flavors and aromas.

Let’s explore what made 2011 a good vintage for this Southern Rhone appellation, and the best Chateauneuf du Pape 2011 bottles to buy in 2021.

Was 2011 A Good Year For Chateauneuf Du Pape?

The Chateauneuf du Pape 2011 vintage is considered good, but most of the wines have short aging potential. 

However, some top winemakers in this Southern Rhone appellation (like Domaine de la Mordorée, Château de Beaucastel, and Domaine de la Janasse) still managed to produce outstanding age-worthy red blends. 

Here’s a closer look at the 2011 growing season in the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation:

• Spring: The season was dry and warm, helping the grape vine plants grow rapidly. 

• Summer: The summer was unusually cold, and the grape vine growth slowed down. August was a hot month that shriveled the berries and halted the ripening process.

• Fall: Fortunately, the rains in September cooled the vineyard lands. The rainy period was followed by warm weather in late fall that helped the grapes ripen fully.

While some wineries harvested their grapes early to preserve their natural acidity and balance, others went for a late harvest, which resulted in avant-garde style wines. 

Most Chateauneuf du Pape 2011 wine bottles are ready to drink. These wines are sweet, dense, fruit forward, and high in alcohol.    

The 10 Best Chateauneuf du Pape 2011 Wines

You should get hold of these fine Chateauneuf du Pape 2011 wines:

1. 2011 Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve, Rhone, France ($1,885)

This red wine has delicate aroma notes of Provencal herbs, strawberry fruit, and garrigue. The palate has intense cassis, red fruit notes, and a racy finish.

2. 2011 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Grand Cuvee Hommage a Jacques Perrin, Rhone, France ($485)

This red wine has black fruit, blueberry, garrigue, licorice, and smoky spice aroma notes. The palate is plump with spicecake nuances, tannin concentration, and ample complexity.

Wine Advocate rated this Chateau de Beaucastel wine 98 points, noting the wine’s exceptional aging potential of around 20-30 years. 

3. 2011 Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve des Celestins, Rhone, France ($327)

Here is a delicious Rhone wine with an aroma of spiced black cherries, Provencal herbs, and red fruit. It has intense cassis and blackcurrant flavors with good acidity and solid mid palate depth. 

4. 2011 Rotem & Mounir Saouma Chateauneuf du Pape 'Arioso', Rhone, France ($190)

This wine has a bouquet of dried cherry, intense cassis, Provencal herbs, sweet spice, and licorice notes. The palate has bitter cherry flavors, medium acidity, soft tannin texture, and a long finish.

Wine Spectator gave this wine an incredible score of 97.

5. 2011 Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Marie Beurrier, Rhone, France ($189)

This Rhone wine bottle has an aromatic nose of saddle leather, black cherry, and pepper. It also has Provencal herbs, bitter cherry tasting notes, and a long finish.

6. 2011 Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Laurence, Rhone, France ($123)

Dried cherry, garrigue, and potpourri aromas complement the wine’s opulent fruit flavors and supple texture. 

Wine Spectator scored this wine 95 points, praising the wine’s extended longevity.  

7. 2011 Domaine Giraud Chateauneuf du Pape Grenaches de Pierre, Rhone, France ($89)

Here is a rich, robust red wine with black cherry, blackcurrant, and stewed fruit aromas. The palate has tasting notes of chocolate, licorice, raspberry fruit, and ample complexity.

8. 2011 M. Chapoutier Chateauneuf du Pape Barbe Rac, Rhone, France ($131)

This wine bottle has Provencal herbs, licorice, spice, and cherry aroma notes. The palate is round with spicecake nuances, red fruit, and bitter cherry flavors.

Wine Advocate gave this wine 93 points. 

9. 2011 Domaine Juliette Avril Chateauneuf du Pape, Rhone, France ($100)

This red wine bottle has deep black cherry, saddle leather, and spice aromas. Licorice, strawberry fruit, and a supple texture round off the palate. 

10. 2011 Paul Avril Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape, Rhone, France ($95)

Here is a red wine with licorice and underbrush aromas. The palate has stewed fruit, blackberry fruit, ample complexity, supple texture, and solid mid palate depth.

2011 Chateauneuf Du Pape: Sweet, Supple, And Lively

Depending on your preference, you can find a Chateauneuf du Pape 2011 vintage wine that can be enjoyed right away or left in the cellar to age.  

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