The 2011 Vicar is very pretty in this vintage. Less forced than the 2010, the 2011 impresses for its sweet, perfumed fruit and fine overall balance. Sweet red berries, crushed flowers, spices and mint are all framed nicely, while a perfumed finish laced with floral notes rounds things out in style. In 2011, the Vicar is 70% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah, all from the Mountain Terraces vineyard. I find better balance and cohesion in the 2011 than the 2010, perhaps because all the fruit came from just one site. The 2011 Vicar also happens to be great example of the vintage. (AG)