2011 Prince of Hearts

Claude Blankiet described 2011 as "a vintage of pinot noir grand cru," adding, "We like light, delicate wines, and the 2011s are certainly intense enough." A significant percentage of the estate's production was eliminated on the sorting table. Winemaker Denis Malbec noted that back-blending some 2012 wine into the 2011s was not constructive and therefore was not done--"It just added heaviness," he explained. Although many producers admitted to adding the maximum permitted amount of 2012, many others were in agreement with Malbec that the two vintages did not combine well. Incidentally, the Blankiet wines were once aged entirely in Taransaud barrels, but today the percentage is about 60% and four or five other coopers (e.g., Hermitage and Boutes) are used.