Clos des Papes 2012
AOC Chateauneuf du Pape

Presse / Kritik
J. Livingstone-Learmonth: 5 / 6 Sterne
Wine Spectator: 97 / 100 Punkte (TOP 100 Liste 2014)
"A stunner, with a gorgeous cassis aroma that soars from the glass, reinforced by a core of cherry and plum pâte 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."
Decanter: 97 / 100 Punkte
"Soft and juicy with flattering, bright red fruits. The alcohol is showing through just a little bit but it's countered by precise acidity. Starting to show really nicely when tasted in 2019, taking on cedar and tobacco leaf. This is a happy, juicy style, full of life - flamboyant but stylish."
Wine Advocate: 96 / 100 Punkte
"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 integrates 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... His 2012 is certainly one of the shining successes in the vintage..."
J. Dunnuck: 95 / 100 Punkte
"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."
J. Robinson: 19 / 20 Punkte (Fassprobe)
"The final blend of this wonderful wine will be 65% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah. Vincent has made a Syrah-dominant foudre and a Mourvèdre-dominant blend to show 'my clients' how much better the latter is than the former. The Syrah does indeed rather suppress the delicacy and sweetness of Clos des Papes' Grenache which is so unlike most Châteauneuf – transparent and ethereal; only Ch Rayas regularly follows this style. Truly gorgeous and holds its (considerable: well over 15%) alcohol so well."
St. Tanzer: 93-95 / 100 Punkte (Fassprobe)
"Tasted in three components, from three different foudres, followed by a hypothetical final blend that Avril has assembled in its own foudre. #1 (80% grenache, 10% syrah and the rest "all the other varieties): Intense red fruit and floral scents, with a bright mineral overtone. Silky and fruit-driven, offering sweet raspberry liqueur and lavender flavors and a touch of white pepper. Spicy and precise, with serious finishing power. This is carrying 15.7% alcohol. #2) (70% grenache, 20% syrah and 10% mourvedre): Deeper and darker in character than #1, offering bitter cherry and blackberry aromas and flavors and a touch of licorice. A sexy floral note dominates the finish, which is smooth, focused and long. #3 (55% grenache, 40% mourvedre and 5% counoise): Exotic black and blue fruit compote on the nose, with a smoky note gaining power with air. Rich and energetic, finishing with excellent clarity and thrust. A hypothetical final blend: Opaque ruby. Heady aromas of dark berry preserves, potpourri, anise and spicecake, with a zesty mineral topnote. Juicy, focused and penetrating, offering sweet black raspberry and floral pastille flavors and a strong mineral undertone. Closes spicy and long, with smooth tannins folding smoothly into the fruit."
The Wine Cellar Insider: 96 / 100 Punkte
"Violets, red cherries, raspberry and spicy plum scents make up the perfume. On the palate, the wine is silky, lively and fresh, expressing sweetness in the fruit, round, voluptuous textures and purity of flavor."
Falstaff: 94 / 100 Punkte
"Verschlossener Duft mit Nuancen von schwarzen Beeren und Lakritze. Öliger Fond, reifes, trockenes Tannin. Wucht und Kraft, keine Alkoholbetonung, intensiv taktil-mineralisch in der Gaumenmitte, belebende Saftigkeit hinter dem Extrakt. Verbindet Eleganz und Fülle, deutet großes Potenzial an."
Vinous: 94 / 100 Punkte
"Opaque ruby. Smoky blueberry and cherry compote aromas pick up a peppery nuance with air, along with a suave floral quality. Fleshy and seamless on the palate, offering sweet, deeply concentrated black and blue fruit flavors and a hint of lavender pastille. Spreads out and becomes spicier on the juicy, penetrating finish, which is framed by supple, slow-building tannins."