Beaujolais Nouveau fans around the world can now take their first sips of the 2011 vintage.

The wine is purple-magenta in color, with aromas of fresh dark fruit. The fruit-forward flavor shows off notes that are darker and more intense than the 2010 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau. The wine has silky flavors of fresh boysenberry, blackberry, plum, blueberry and raspberry, with a smooth mouthfeel and crisp finish.

Primarily Syrah and Grenache  with small amounts of Mouvedre mixed in.  This is a great value wine.  It bursts forth with dark fruit flavors but has a nice soft but dry finish.

Mouton Cadet, the world’s first French wine brand created in 1930, celebrates 80 years of history, boldness and passion in 2010. Since its first vintage, the wines of Mouton Cadet have stood for not only quality and tradition, but also innovation.

A dense red with a pronounced purple tint. The nose is expressive and complex, rich in fresh and ripe fruit aromas, especially red cherry and morello cherry, with a touch of spice. The attack, on the fruit, is rich and supple, the mid-palate full and fruity on silky tannins. Showing attractive length on the palate, it has a fresh and spicy finish that expresses all the typically character of the merlot and the very high quality of the vintage.

If  you like Cotes du Rhone, give Old Fart a try.  This wine is no joke, a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah.  The Grenache makes it fresh and juicy while the syrah gives the wine structure and great balance.  It is best described as a robust and spicy red that is absolutely unforgettable.

High regard to the vintage, the 2009 Chateauneuf-Du-Pape is characterized by soft aromas of black fruit and spice.  This is an elegant wine where the quantity and quality of the tannins really stand out.