Domaine du Pegau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Reservée 2012 | 1.5 L.

SP93 Wine Spectator Sep 30, 2015

"A dark, alluring style, with tobacco, chestnut and alder notes surrounding a core of blackberry, plum and cherry fruit. Lots of garrigue details line the finish, showing a warm paving stone hint. Should settle in nicely in the cellar. Best from 2016 through 2023. 6,670 cases made." (93 pts.)

RP94 Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate 30th Oct 2014

"One of my favorite wines, the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Réservée is a classic. Beautiful on the nose, with notions of ground pepper, wild herbs, minerality and smoked plum and dark fruit, it’s medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated and has plenty of tannin that comes through on the finish. Similar in style to a lighter-weight 2010, drink this beauty anytime over the coming 12–15 years." (94 pts.)

RP94+ Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate 30th Oct 2013

"As to the 2012s, while there will be no Cuvee da Capo in the vintage, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee is a beauty. Tasted out of multiple barrels (all of which rated between 94 and 97), it should be a classic Pegau with aromatics similar to the 2010, yet not quite as much depth or richness. Full-bodied and nicely concentrated, all of the samples showed the freshness of the vintage, with ample mid-palate depth, high quality tannin and loads of character. It should benefit from short-term cellaring and have 15–20 years of longevity. Drink 2016–2032." (94–96 pts.)

ST92+ Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar Jan/Feb 2014

"Bright purple. Smoky, spice-accented aromas of blackberry and cherry-cola, with sexy floral and mineral overtones. Sweet and expansive on the palate, offering an array of red and dark berry preserve flavors complicated by hints of Indian spices and black pepper. Rich and energetic, with strong finishing thrust, slow-building tannins and a late kick of smoky minerality. I was looking for some funky gaminess here but didn’t find any." (92–94 pts.)