My favorite of the 2012s, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Empire (80% Grenache and 20% Syrah) has big, mineral-laced aromas and flavors of blackberry, crushed stone and underbrush to go with a medium to full-bodied, beautifully fresh and pure profile on the palate. Building in tannic grip with time in the glass, it’s an impressive 2012 that has some upside. Give it a couple years once released and enjoy it over the following 7-8 years. Drink 2015-2023.
Owned by the Chouvet family since 1989, these wines are consistently very good to outstanding. The 2011s are rock-solid and show the best of the vintage. The 2012s follow suit, with well-made, clean and fresh profiles. While I worry about the level of oak on the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape David et Goliath, it’s still a good bottle of wine.
Importer: Milton Road Trading, LLC, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 948-MRTC, and Vins du Midi Wine Importing, Eugene, OR; tel. (541) 485-0151
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