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Friday, August 22, 2014

2012 Chateauneuf du Pape - amazing vintage

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Great 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape
2012 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape...$124.99
Tasted from multiple foudres, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape is stunning! Showing surprising depth and concentration in the vintage, with full-bodied richness and texture, all of the samples showed perfumed, complex aromatics, fantastic mid-palates and serious back-end structure. Less forward than the 2011, with plenty of oomph, it will most likely require short-term cellaring to come around, and have a broad drink window
Rated 95-98/100 The Wine Advocate

Rated 97/100 The Wine Spectator



2012 Bosquet des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chante le Merle...$69.99
the brilliant 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Chante Le Merle Vieilles Vignes is comprised of mostly old vine Grenache, with smaller parts Syrah and Mourvedre. Perfumed and already complex, with kirsch, blackberry, crushed stone, pepper and garrigue, this full-bodied effort has a silky, polished texture, big structure and serious length on the finish. It will mostly likely benefit for 3-4 years in the cellar and have 15-20 years of total longevity. Drink 2017-2032.
Rated 94-96+/100 The Wine Advocate


2012 Bosquet des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape A la Gloire de Mon Grandpere...$62.99
Looking just as good, with a slightly more approachable profile, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape A La Gloire de Mon Grand-Pere is a field blend of close to 100% Grenache that comes from the Gardiole lieu-dit. Aged all in demi-muid, it is an awesomely textured, seamless effort that boasts knockout aromas and flavors of kirsch, wild strawberries, herbs de Provence and red licorice. Not quite as backwards or concentrated as the Chante Le Merle, it should be approachable at an earlier age and drink brilliantly for 15 years or more. Drink 2015-2027.
Rated 94-96/100 The Wine Advocate



2012 Domaine Marcoux Chateauneuf du Pape...$66.99
From a vintage with miniscule yields and the same blend as the 2011, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape, which was tasted out of barrel, offers a pretty, fresh and fragrant profile with gorgeous purity of fruit. Black raspberry, licorice and floral notes all emerge here, and it builds in richness and depth with time in the glass. It should be reasonably approachable on release and drink well for 10-12 years. Drink 2014-2024.
Rated 92-94/100 The Wine Advocate

2012 Domaine Marcoux Chateauneuf du Pape V.V...$166.99
Even better and showing plenty of similarities to the 2011, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is a 3,000-bottle lot of roughly 100% Grenache that was brought up all in stainless steel (this is due to not having enough juice to fill a larger barrel). Per Sophie, this cuvee was difficult to taste early on (which is a comment I heard often with regards to the 2012s) but had just recently turned the corner. Seamless, layered and textured, with overflowing Grenache generosity, this full-bodied effort gives up plenty of pure raspberry, black raspberry, violets and tinges of licorice on the nose and palate. As with the 2011, it should be reasonably approachable on release, yet have 15+ years or more of longevity. Drink 2015-2027.
Rated 95-97/100 The Wine Advocate

2012 Domaine Janasse Chateauneuf du Pape...$59.99
Looking pretty close to the 2009 and 2010 in terms of quality, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape has slightly less Grenache than prior vintages, with 15% Mourvedre, 8% Syrah and the rest Grenache. Violets, underbrush, sweet black raspberry and cassis all flow from this medium to full-bodied, pure and elegantly styled effort. Showing plenty of fruit, good acidity and terrific purity, it should evolve gracefully for 12-15 years. Drink 2015-2027.
Rated 92-94/100 The Wine Advocate

2012 Domaine Janasse Cuvee Chaupin...$79.99
Also showing the purity and freshness of the vintage, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chaupin, which was harvested towards the end of September, displays classic licorice, crushed violets, flowers and mineral-tinged black fruits to go with a medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced and lively feel on the palate. Always 100% Grenache that comes from very old vines and sandy soils, it is one impressive tank sample. Give it a couple years in the cellar and enjoy bottles over the following decade or longer. Drink 2015-2027.
Rated 94-96/100 The Wine Advocate

2012 Domaine Janasse Chateauneuf du Pape V.V....$106.99
Most likely one of the top 2-3 wines produced, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is a rough blend of 80-85% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre (which was harvested October 10) and the balance Syrah, that hit 15.4% natural alcohol. Seeing the same elevage as the 2011, it sports an inky purple color as well as spectacular array of black and blue fruits, violets, liquid flowers and underbrush to go with an energetic, seamless and full-bodied profile on the palate. Lighter weight than the 2007 and 2010, it possesses notable freshness, purity and elegance. It should benefit from short-term cellaring and thrill for upward of two decades. Drink 2016-2032.
Rated 95-98/100 The Wine Advocate


2012 Domaine Giraud Grenache des Perriere...$106.99
The cream of the lineup, and possibly the vintage, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Grenaches de Pierre is an incredible effort that possesses notions of bouquet garni, pepper, licorice, cassis and crushed stone-like minerality. Full-bodied, powerful and layered, yet also elegant and with terrific intensity and depth, it too should be reasonably approachable in its youth and evolve gracefully for 15 years or more. If you can, don’t miss a chance to latch on to a few of these. Drink 2015-2027.
Rated 94-97/100 The Wine Advocate

2012 Domaine Giraud Premices Chateauneuf du Pape...$39.99
The 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Premices, which had just been bottled at the time of this tasting, has fantastic ripeness and offers up beautiful Provencal notes of sweet blackberry, currants, toasted spice, cured meats and earthy notes to go with full-bodied richness and depth on the palate. Rich, fleshy and textured, it’s another knockout Grenache-dominated blend from this estate. Drink now-2020
Rated 91-93/100 The Wine Advocate

2012 Domaine Giraud Tradition Chateauneuf du Pape...$53.99
Still in tank, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition has plenty of floral, herb and underbrush notes to go with a core of sweet berry fruit. Medium to full-bodied, rich and textured, with ultra-fine tannin, it should be accessible in its youth yet have a solid 12-15 years drink window. Drink 2015-2027.
Rated 92-94/100 The Wine Advocate



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