2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réservé Domaine de la Vieille Julienne

The awesome 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Reserve is at the top of the heap in the vintage, and is world-class stuff. Sharing lots of similarities to the Les Trois Sources (they come from similar terroirs), it has another level of concentration and density, with incredible liquid rock, blueberry, violets, licorice and bouquet garni-like aromas and flavors. A rock star on the palate, it has full-bodied power, perfect balance, a seamless, elegant texture and blockbuster mid- palate depth. Coming from 100-year-old Grenache vines and pure sand soils, it's a tour de force that will have two-plus decades of life.

A wine that's expensive, as well as hard to find in the market, the 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve is certainly one of the wines of the vintage. Coming from very old vines planted in the sandy soils in the northern part of the appellation, aged all in foudre, its deep purple color is followed by incredible notes of blueberries, black licorice, ground pepper, and spring flowers. Layered, complex, full-bodied, and just pure silky on the palate, this incredible wine from Jean-Paul Daumen will benefit from anther few years in the cellar and keep for 10- 15+.

Red Packed in tight, with fig, boysenberry and blackberry confiture notes bursting with youthful energy, harnessed by graphite, tar and ganache elements. Reveals a terrific bolt of anise through the finish, showing echoes of juniper and violet. There's superb range and depth here. This will take some cellaring to unwind fully.

Opaque ruby. Deeply pitched dark berry liqueur, cherry pit, licorice and woodsmoke scents pick up exotic Indian spice and floral pastille qualities with air. Juicy, broad and alluringly sweet on the palate, with vibrant blackberry and bitter cherry flavors lifted and sharpened by zesty acidity. Shows excellent depth and power, finishing sweet, smoky and very long. This wine checks in at 16% alcohol, for those who are counting. - Josh Raynolds