| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Rhône > Southern Rhône > Châteauneuf-du-Pape |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
A stunner, with a gorgeous cassis aroma that sours from the glass, reinforced by a core of cassis, cherry and plum pate de fruit, hoisin sauce, warm ganache and well-roasted apple wood notes. Hefty but suave and seamless. The finish lets graphite and licorice elements glide through. The structure is dense, polished and perfectly integrated, resulting in lovely length. Should be a beauty after cellaring. Best from 2017 through 2032.
At eight years after vintage, this is showing soft and approachable, with a lovely sense of freshness. It's still a little closed for now, so I would wait until at least 2022 before opening, but there is a bright, buzzing effect on the palate and great length, with orange peel on the tail. Tannins are a little more serious and squared off than some vintages. (Drink between 2022-2040)
Vincent is incredibly kind when it comes to opening older bottles and I was able to retaste the 2012 Châteauneuf Du Pape, which I think is an underrated vintage. It’s just now starting to round the corner toward its drinking plateau and offers lovely kirsch and blackberry fruits as well as plenty of garrigue and licorice notes. Medium to full-bodied, elegant, and seamless, it’s slightly closed on the palate and will benefit from another 2-3 years of bottle age, but it’s a brilliant wine. Clos des Papes remains one of the true reference point estates in Châteauneuf du Pape and is a safe buy in just about every vintage. I’ve yet to see the estate put a foot wrong, and even in more difficult vintages, they produce a beautiful, age-worthy wine, both with their white and red. The 2017 Châteauneuf du Pape is a profound wine that flirts with perfection, and comes in just behind the magical 2016 and 2007, and maybe the 2010, but time will tell. Regardless, comparing these great vintages over the coming two decades will be an incredible joy for any wine lover out there. (Drink between 2020-2032)
Moving to the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape, this is a vintage that's loved by Paul-Vincent, and one that he compares to 2005. Hitting 15.4% alcohol, it has gorgeous richness and depth, with the hallmark elegance of the estate. Kirsch, blackberry, licorice, spice and floral notes all emerge from the glass, and it builds on the palate with superb concentration, integrated acidity and sweet tannin. Paul-Vincent commented that he thinks this will close down quickly. Nevertheless its balance, tannin and overall equilibrium will keep it drinking nicely through 2032.
As always, I had a great visit with Paul-Vincent Avril, and he continues to fashion one of the most elegant and seamless wines in the appellation. Yields here remain absolutely miniscule, with 2012 coming in at an average of 18 hectoliters per hectare, and the 2013s even smaller, at a bankrupt inducing level of 13.5 hectoliters per hectare. His 2012 is certainly one of the shinning successes in the vintage, and his 2013 should also be outstanding, with a Burgundian-like texture and acid profile.
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.
