This wine is clearly better, more balanced and more pleasant than I had expected, based on some earlier comments. Yes, it is very alcoholic (16%), but the alcohol is not too pungent or making the wine too heavy. The wine is full-bodied and very fruity, providing lovely notes of ripe and sweet red fruits and berries, but it is also providing darker notes of black pepper, coal and minerals. Moreover, the wine is also structured, acidic and fresh. Unlike with many other highly alcoholic wines, there is simply no problem of flabbiness or exaggerated jamminess.
In my opinion, this wine is multi-dimensional and offering very high quality. I also find it to be in an excellent shape right at the moment.
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Der Wein brauchte 2 h in der Karaffe um den zunächst deutlich wahrnehmbaren Alkohol (16%Vol.) einigermaßen zu integrieren. Sonst gute gute Frucht (nicht eingekocht), Kräuterigkeit und Balance (bis auf den Alkohol!). Ich trinke gerne Ch9 und habe auch nicht per se etwas gegen die hohen Alkoholgrade in der Appelation. Ich will auch gerne jedem zugestehen, dass man hier auch 3-4 Punkte mehr vergeben kann, wenn man in Sachen Alkohol noch weniger empfindlich ist als ich es bin. Für mich waren die 16%Vol hier aber einfach zu viel!!
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Should have bought more of these. PNP and it delivered out of the gate, though got better over the next hour. Lovely Grenache mouthfeel and lovely balance. Will get better but thought to wait - especially given the price paid.
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Excellent Châteauneuf-du-Pape. 100% old vines Grenache. Garnet red in color. Directly performing after opening. Wonderful nose. Rather reminding of Syrah from Northern Rhone with lots of pepper. Then more and more cassis and garrigues. The wine presents well balanced in the mouth. Wonderful mixture of fruit and spice - style reminds me of Avril's Clos des Papes. Lengthy finish again with garrigues notes. Ready to drink but will hold for more years. The 2012 really could be seen as a bargain considering that the price for recent vintages of this cuvée has dramatically increased.
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This needed 30+ minutes to fully come around as the nose was mute at first. The essence of Grenache as it showed classic black cherry, raspberry, spice and pepper notes leading to a luscious but balanced palate. It did not show the 16% alcohol at all.
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Wine Ark tasting - Bastille Day (wine ark alexandria): Red berry Grenache, perfumed strawberries, slight cedar, lovely red berry fruit tends to cherry, polished, finishes spicy. Long, very pleasant but with a touch of stalkiness. Fine tannins. But with time it starts to go to a strange place; the fruit gets pruney and the tannins harden. Hmm.
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What a stellar young CDP. Opened and passed thru Vinturi and let rest in wide bowl decanter for 45 minutes. Very floral and enticing nose of iris, violets, vanilla taffy, and strawberry compote. Medium on the palate with hints of assorted red fruit and pomegranate. Almost Pinot like without the soil and earth tones. Really stellar winemaking with this 100% Grenache. Score based on excellent QPR at $45. Will procure a few more bottles and let rest for 3-5 years and revisit. Impressive at this price point !
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A mélange of fresh, sweet, ripe red berries and spices are at the front of this wine. It’s sweet, spicy, fresh character leaves a good impression on the nose and an even better one on palate. A few years will add more to this 100% Grenache wine.
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En primeur tasting. Spicy, fresh, really grippy tannins at the moment, lovely minerality and good length, just a bit angular right now. Needs time to settle down. 90-93+
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3/9/2022 - lkilpio Likes this wine: 94 Points
This wine is clearly better, more balanced and more pleasant than I had expected, based on some earlier comments. Yes, it is very alcoholic (16%), but the alcohol is not too pungent or making the wine too heavy. The wine is full-bodied and very fruity, providing lovely notes of ripe and sweet red fruits and berries, but it is also providing darker notes of black pepper, coal and minerals. Moreover, the wine is also structured, acidic and fresh. Unlike with many other highly alcoholic wines, there is simply no problem of flabbiness or exaggerated jamminess.
In my opinion, this wine is multi-dimensional and offering very high quality. I also find it to be in an excellent shape right at the moment.
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8/28/2021 - champussi Does not like this wine: 89 Points
Der Wein brauchte 2 h in der Karaffe um den zunächst deutlich wahrnehmbaren Alkohol (16%Vol.) einigermaßen zu integrieren. Sonst gute gute Frucht (nicht eingekocht), Kräuterigkeit und Balance (bis auf den Alkohol!). Ich trinke gerne Ch9 und habe auch nicht per se etwas gegen die hohen Alkoholgrade in der Appelation. Ich will auch gerne jedem zugestehen, dass man hier auch 3-4 Punkte mehr vergeben kann, wenn man in Sachen Alkohol noch weniger empfindlich ist als ich es bin. Für mich waren die 16%Vol hier aber einfach zu viel!!
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12/9/2020 - rm97 wrote: 93 Points
Should have bought more of these.
PNP and it delivered out of the gate, though got better over the next hour. Lovely Grenache mouthfeel and lovely balance. Will get better but thought to wait - especially given the price paid.
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11/19/2020 - rm97 wrote: 93 Points
Love her St Prefert range so was interested in trying this. Took a while to open up but really enjoyable. Different in style but I admire her skills.
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10/4/2020 - Seb Frefranc Likes this wine: 93 Points
Excellent Châteauneuf-du-Pape. 100% old vines Grenache. Garnet red in color. Directly performing after opening. Wonderful nose. Rather reminding of Syrah from Northern Rhone with lots of pepper. Then more and more cassis and garrigues. The wine presents well balanced in the mouth. Wonderful mixture of fruit and spice - style reminds me of Avril's Clos des Papes. Lengthy finish again with garrigues notes. Ready to drink but will hold for more years.
The 2012 really could be seen as a bargain considering that the price for recent vintages of this cuvée has dramatically increased.
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11/6/2017 - CRAUBER4242 Likes this wine: 93 Points
This needed 30+ minutes to fully come around as the nose was mute at first. The essence of Grenache as it showed classic black cherry, raspberry, spice and pepper notes leading to a luscious but balanced palate. It did not show the 16% alcohol at all.
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7/14/2016 - chatters wrote:
Wine Ark tasting - Bastille Day (wine ark alexandria): Red berry Grenache, perfumed strawberries, slight cedar, lovely red berry fruit tends to cherry, polished, finishes spicy. Long, very pleasant but with a touch of stalkiness. Fine tannins. But with time it starts to go to a strange place; the fruit gets pruney and the tannins harden. Hmm.
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3/4/2016 - ludwigbpm wrote: 91 Points
Sans notes
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2/25/2016 - d'Artagnan wrote: 89 Points
Dégustation horizontale Châteauneuf du Pape 2012 (Igloo Laurier): Un nez ferrugineux, de mélasse, anis, figues.
Bouche traditionnelle, tannique, avec du kirsch, austère, un peu trop chaleureuse, j'aime moins. 89 pts
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1/6/2016 - drdan8 Likes this wine: 93 Points
What a stellar young CDP. Opened and passed thru Vinturi and let rest in wide bowl decanter for 45 minutes. Very floral and enticing nose of iris, violets, vanilla taffy, and strawberry compote. Medium on the palate with hints of assorted red fruit and pomegranate. Almost Pinot like without the soil and earth tones. Really stellar winemaking with this 100% Grenache. Score based on excellent QPR at $45. Will procure a few more bottles and let rest for 3-5 years and revisit. Impressive at this price point !
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9/10/2014 - Jeff Leve wrote: 92 Points
A mélange of fresh, sweet, ripe red berries and spices are at the front of this wine. It’s sweet, spicy, fresh character leaves a good impression on the nose and an even better one on palate. A few years will add more to this 100% Grenache wine.
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3/3/2014 - rossi.wine wrote: 92 Points
En primeur tasting. Spicy, fresh, really grippy tannins at the moment, lovely minerality and good length, just a bit angular right now. Needs time to settle down. 90-93+
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