CHÂTEAUNEUF DU PAPE THE LIVELY 2013S AND THE LUSH 2012S Josh Raynolds, Vinous Media, April 14 th 2015 2013 VAUDIEU CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE (90-) Fresh, mineral-accented red fruits on the nose, along with suggestions of pipe tobacco, lavender and licorice. Stains the palate with lively red and dark berry flavors, with a smoky mineral quality adding spine. Silky tannins shape the fruitdriven finish, which clings with very good tenacity and resonating spiciness. 2013 VAUDIEU CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE VAL DE DIEU (-) Deeply pitched, oak-spiced aromas of fresh black and blue fruits, along with hints of cracked pepper and incense. Juicy and expansive on the palate, offering sweet boysenberry and black raspberry flavors that gain energy with air. This rich yet lively Châteauneuf finishes with excellent clarity and smooth, slow-building tannins. 2012 VAUDIEU CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE High-pitched aromas of redcurrant, raspberry, lavender and smoky minerals, with a sexy spicecake quality emerging with aeration. Juicy and precise, with sweet raspberry and floral pastille flavors given lift and spine by tangy acidity. Silky tannins come up slowly on the long, sappy finish, which leaves spicecake and floral notes behind. 2012 VAUDIEU CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE VAL DE DIEU Ripe cherry and black raspberry on the highly perfumed nose, with a suave floral element adding complexity. Fleshy and seamless on the palate, offering pliant red and dark berry flavors and hints of vanilla and smoky minerals. Closes smooth, sappy and very long, with excellent clarity and spicy lift. 2012 VAUDIEU CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE AMIRAL G Sexy, expansive red berry liqueur and floral pastille aromas are complicated by suggestions of cola, mocha and star anise. Juicy, focused and pure, conveying excellent verve to its mineral-laced black raspberry and cherry-cola flavors. The wine s mineral element adds lift and precision to the long, subtly tannic finish...
(-) 2013 CLOS SAINT JEAN CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE VIEILLES VIGNES Smoke- and spice-accented red fruit and potpourri scents show very good clarity and suggestions of allspice and licorice. Silky, sweet and open-knit, offering intense black raspberry and lavender pastille flavors that put on weight as the wine opens up. Deeply flavored but lively too, finishing with excellent focus; dusty tannins lend shape and grip. 2012 CLOS SAINT JEAN CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE VIEILLES VIGNES Heady, mineral-accented aromas of blueberry, cherry compote, lavender and cola, with a smoky nuance building in the glass. Palate-staining dark berry flavors pick up notes of white pepper and licorice as the wine opens in the glass. This powerful yet nimble Châteauneuf finishes with very good clarity and silky tannins that add gentle grip. 2012 CLOS SAINT JEAN CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE COMBE DES FOUS Potent red fruit liqueur and Asian spices on the highly perfumed nose, with a mineral element adding lift. Sweet, concentrated and energetic on the palate, with intense raspberry and cherry-cola flavors deepening and gaining power with air. The penetrating, floral finish features outstanding clarity and thrust, with harmonious tannins... 2012 CLOS SAINT JEAN CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE DEUS EX MACHINA Complex, highly perfumed nose evokes fresh blackberry, cherry, spicecake and violet. Juicy, seamless and sweet on the palate, offering nuanced flavors of dark fruit liqueur, succulent herbs and candied flowers. Densely packed but also lithe and precise, with slow-building tannins giving shape to the wine s exuberant fruit on the long, sappy finish. 2013 MARCOUX CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE (-) Potent, highly perfumed aromas of candied red berries, incense and smoky minerals, with a suave floral overtone. Spicy, focused and pure, with sweet raspberry and cherry flavors given spine by juicy acidity. In a graceful, almost weightless style, finishing with excellent clarity and silky, late-arriving tannins. 2012 MARCOUX CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE Intense, spice-laced cherry and dark berries on the fragrant nose, with notes of licorice, spicecake and lavender adding complexity. Silky, expansive blackberry, cherry compote and succulent herb flavors become firmer and spicier with air, picking up notes of white pepper and allspice. This gets my vote as the best basic Châteauneuf bottling of the vintage. 2012 MARCOUX CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE VIEILLES VIGNES Heady, expansive raspberry and boysenberry scents show superb clarity, with notes of incense and star anise emerging with air. Palate-staining red and dark berry flavors deepen and become sweeter with air while maintaining vibrancy. A smoky mineral quality adds definition and lift to the finish, which features silky tannins and an exotic touch of blood orange.
2013 JANASSE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE (-) An expansive bouquet evokes dark berry preserves, incense, Indian spices and licorice, with a subtle earthy accent in the background. Fleshy but lively and precise, offering supple black raspberry and cherry-cola flavors lifted by zesty minerality. Fine-grained tannins give grip to the finish, which repeats the spice and cola notes. 2013 JANASSE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE CHAUPIN (-) Intensely perfumed red berry and floral scents are complicated by star anise, allspice and orange zest. Spicy, focused and pure, offering intense raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that become fleshier and sweeter with air. Packs a solid punch but comes off as elegant and precise, finishing with superb thrust, supple tannins and lingering florality. (-95 2013 JANASSE CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE VIEILLES VIGNES ) Powerful aromas of dark fruit preserves, potpourri and candied flowers, with smoky Indian spice and mineral nuances in the background. Sweet and expansive but also sharply delineated, showing very good depth to its blackberry, mineral and floral pastille flavors. Distinctly rich but there s a surprisingly lithe character to this wine as well. 2012 JANASSE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE Highly perfumed aromas of fresh red berries, potpourri and Asian spices, with a smoky mineral note adding urgency. Sappy, sweet and seamless, offering intense raspberry and floral pastille flavors and a touch of star anise. Spreads out nicely on the gently tannic finish, which clings with excellent tenacity and repeating floral character. An outstanding effort... 2012 JANASSE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE CHAUPIN Expansive spice- and mineral-accented aromas of ripe black raspberry and blueberry, along with white pepper and woodsmoke nuances. Stains the palate with intense red and dark berry flavors, showing a suave blend of power and vivacity, with juicy acidity adding lift and bite. 2012 JANASSE CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE VIEILLES VIGNES Explosive aromas of dark berry preserves, incense and lavender, with a smoky overtone and bright minerality. Pliant and seamless in the mouth, offering intense, palate-staining cassis and blueberry flavors that are energized by juicy acidity. Shows real power and focus on the strikingly long finish, which features velvety tannins and a hint of candied flowers.
2013 ROGER SABON CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE LES OLIVETS (90-) High-pitched red fruit and floral scents are accented by a hint of white pepper. Juicy, focused and lively, offering gently sweet raspberry and rose pastille flavors that deepen with air. Fine-grained tannins shape to the finish, which clings with real tenacity. Quite impressive for a basic Châteauneuf... 2013 ROGER SABON CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE RESERVE (-) Musky earth- and spice-tinged cherry and dark berry scents are lifted by a peppery note and a hint of fresh rose. Broad and seamless on the palate, offering sweet blackberry and cherry liqueur flavors and a touch of dark chocolate. Shows increasing energy with air and finishes long and smooth... 2013 ROGER SABON CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE PRESTIGE (-) Aromas of dark berries, cherry pit and candied licorice, with a suave floral overtone. Plush, spice-laced blackcurrant and bitter cherry flavors become more energetic with air, displaying a suave blend of power and vivacity. White pepper and smoky mineral qualities add cut to the finish, which lingers with appealing sweetness and building tannins. 2013 ROGER SABON CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE SECRET DES SABON (-) Powerful smoke- and spice-accented black and blue fruit aromas are brightened by a zesty mineral nuance. Sappy and broad in the mouth, offering sweet boysenberry and cherry-cola flavors and a strong note of fruitcake. The mineral quality returns on a long, sweet finish that feature velvety tannins and lingering smokiness. 2012 ROGER SABON CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE LES OLIVETS Aromas of fresh red berries and dried flowers, with a peppery note adding lift and spiciness. Silky, sweet and broad on 90 the palate, with juicy raspberry and cherry flavors sharpened by a jolt of tangy acidity. In a lithe, elegant style, with gentle tannins adding shape to the finish. 2012 ROGER SABON CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE RESERVE Sexy, high-pitched aromas of fresh red berries, potpourri and star anise show a hint of smokiness. Silky and expansive on the palate, offering intense raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and a strong suggestion of candied rose. Supple tannins meld smoothly with the wine s fruit on the incisive finish, which hangs on with very good tenacity... 2012 ROGER SABON CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE PRESTIGE Deeply pitched black and blue fruit aromas display very good clarity, picking up notes of star anise and smoky minerals with air. Supple and creamy on the palate, with intense blueberry and floral pastille flavors given lift by juicy acidity. Clings with strong tenacity on the smoothly tannic finish. 2012 ROGER SABON CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE SECRET DES SABON A complex, intensely perfumed bouquet displays scents of black raspberry, cherry-cola, Asian spices and floral oils, with a smoky mineral note emerging with air. Stains the palate with vibrant red and dark berry flavors, with juicy acidity and a jolt of white pepper providing focus and lift. Wonderfully balanced and deep, finishing with serious power...
2013 GIRAUD CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE LES PRÉMICES (90-) Suave mineral-accented aromas of red berries and candied rose, with a hint of white pepper in the background. Juicy and precise, displaying very good spicy cut to its fresh strawberry and cherry flavors. Puts on weight with air and finishes smooth and long, with supple tannins and an echo of floral pastilles. 2013 GIRAUD CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE TRADITION (-) Displays vibrant, spice-tinged aromas of candied red fruits, cola and licorice, with a suave floral quality emerging with air. Fleshy and seamless on the palate, offering intense black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and a touch of allspice. The floral quality comes back strongly on the long, subtly tannic finish, which leaves a zesty spicecake note behind. (- 2013 GIRAUD CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE LES GRENACHES DE PIERRE ) Displays expansive aromas of fresh cherry, raspberry, licorice, pungent herbs and fresh flowers. Juicy, sweet and penetrating, with excellent clarity and aromatic lift to its flavors of raspberry liqueur, pomegranate and candied lavender. In an elegant style but showing serious depth of flavor, with strong closing thrust and smooth tannins adding shape. 2012 GIRAUD CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE LES PRÉMICES Lively aromas of raspberry and lavender are accented by peppery spices and minerals. Tangy red and dark berry and 90 floral pastille flavors are complemented by a touch of smokiness that builds in the glass. Finishes spicy and long, with an echo of candied flowers and supple framing tannins. 2012 GIRAUD CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE TRADITION Fresh raspberry, cherry and potpourri aromas are sharpened by a peppery nuance. Fleshy, broad and seamless, offering juicy red fruit flavors and a hint of candied lavender. Shows very good depth, breadth and power on the clinging finish, with a hint of garrigue coming on late. 2012 GIRAUD CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE LES GRENACHES DE PIERRE Fragrant, mineral-laced scents of ripe red fruits, olive paste and candied rose, along with notes of chalky minerals and garrigue. Taut, focused and spicy on entry, then fleshier and weightier in the mid-palate, offering juicy raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and a touch of anise. Closes gently tannic and very long, with resonating minerality and spiciness.