2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Hauts-Lieux la Vieille Julienne

20% de Mourvèdre en 2012 contre 5% normalement. Nez de mine de crayon, très serré. Belle bouche dense mais douce avec une perception d'un fruit mûr, elle est épaulée par la structure du Mourvèdre. Il lui donne ce côté anguleux dans une bouche ovale. Belle chair avec de l'assise.

The 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape les Hauts Lieux comes from a slightly higher, cooler terroir and incorporates more Mourvèdre. It's always a more backward, firm, yet concentrated wine and the 2012 is inky colored and offers tons of minerality in its black and blue fruits. Full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, and layered, it's going to be one of the longest- lived wines in the vintage.

More firm and backwards, the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Les Hauts Lieux is a longer-term prospect. Big minerality, dark fruits, iron, steel and licorice all emerge from the glass. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, edgy and concentrated, with building tannin. Give this beauty 4-5 years in the cellar and enjoy through 2032. It should be one of the longest lived efforts in the vintage.

Vivid ruby. Intense mineral- and spice-accented red berry liqueur and floral pastille scents show excellent clarity, with a hint of cola adding depth. Displays sweet black raspberry and bitter chocolate on the palate, with tangy acidity and a hint of white pepper adding vivacity and cut. Expands and gains sweetness on the strikingly long finish, showing lingering lavender pastille and spicecake qualities and fully integrated tannins. - Josh Raynolds.

Red Big and broad, with layers of red currant and plum paste, raspberry confiture and melted black licorice all folding together, framed by a smoldering charcoal note and backed by a long graphite spine. Lovely spice nuances fill in on the finish. Rock-solid and will reward patient cellaring. Best from 2018 through 2030.