| Score: |
97 WA.
"A remarkable effort, the blockbuster 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Chante le Merle Vieilles Vignes comes close to the 2010 in terms of quality. Coming from a selection of the top plots and old vines of the estate, co-fermented, and with no destemming, it offers off-the-charts notes of cassis, chocolate-covered cherries, garrigue, licorice and toasted spice. Possessing massive richness and depth, with tons of glycerin, texture and length, it stays remarkably elegant, balanced and pure on the palate, with building tannin and yet no hard edges. This knockout Châteauneuf will have two decades of longevity and should not be missed!" Wine Advocate #215, Oct 2014 |