Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Vieille Vignes 2012 Chateau de Beaucastel

Avis professionnels

Robert Parker (97)

Even more impressive and coming from a single parcel of vines planted in 1909, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Roussanne Vieilles Vignes is an off-the-hook effort and certainly the greatest white produced in the Southern Rhone. Offering up exuberant and perfumed notes of marmalade, buttered citrus, orange rind and lavender, this full-bodied voluptuously textured white has knockout richness that’s balanced by gorgeous purity and freshness. Always showing brilliantly in their youth, this cuvee can shut down and be hard to judge when (or if) it will come back around. Per the Perrin family, every vintage goes through this stage and re-emerges at some point. You can drink them in their exuberant youth (which is my recommendation), or cellar them and hope for the best.

Winespectator (95)

Gorgeous, with lush mango, creamed pineapple and Cavaillon melon fruit flavors that glide along, featuring a light fresh butter edge that holds sway on the finish. Despite the alluring, tropical profile, the lovely backdrop of verbena and wet stone should blossom with cellaring. Roussanne.

BOW (8.75)