Looking at the barrel samples, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Terre d'Ancetres sports a classic bouquet of wild herbs, ground pepper, cassis and black raspberry fruit. Medium-bodied, soft, supple and nicely textured, it’s an easy-drinking, slightly straightforward effort. Drink 2014-2020.
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