CDP Cuvée Réservée, Domaine de Pégau 2012

One of my favorite wines, the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Réservée is a classic. Beautiful on the nose, with notions of ground pepper, wild herbs, minerality and smoked plum and dark fruit, it's medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated and has plenty of tannin that comes through on the finish. Similar in style to a lighter-weight 2010, drink this beauty anytime over the coming 12-15 years.

Without a doubt, Domaine du Pegau is one of the top reference point estates for traditionally made Châteauneuf du Pape. Run with incredible talent by Laurence Feraud, with her father Paul never far away, this estate has produced a superb 2012, one that has some similarities to their brilliant 2010, albeit on a slightly softer scale. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to taste their 2013, but will report on that cuvee next year. As I reported last year, they've purchased a large estate, located just outside the village of Sorgues, that consists of 100+ acres of Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages. These new cuvees are released under the Chateau Pegau label. In addition to this, Laurence also has two negociant lines, the Selection Laurence Feraud and the Feraud-Brunel, both of which offer serious value.

As to the 2012s, while there will be no Cuvee da Capo in the vintage, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape is a beauty. Tasted out of multiple barrels (all of which rated between 94 and 97), it should be a classic Pegau with aromatics similar to the 2010, yet not quite as much depth or richness. Full-bodied and nicely concentrated, all of the samples showed the freshness of the vintage, with ample mid-palate depth, high quality tannin and loads of character. It should benefit from short-term cellaring and have 15-20 years of longevity. Drink 2016-2032.