Roussanne Vieilles Vignes 2012

Presentation

Presentation
Considered as one of the greatest white wines in France, only 6000 bottles of this wine are produced. It's made with 100% very old Roussanne vines and harvested slightly over ripe. This exceptional wine must be drunk within 3 years or after 15 years. To be enjoyed with gastronomic cuisine.
The vintage
2012 is a vintage of contrasts with a very mild start of the year and a freezing month of February.
A fresh and humid spring, followed by a windy and dry month of July and a very hot month of August.
The harvesting conditions were ideal. All these conditions make a great vintage.
Location
Château de Beaucastel has 7 hectares planted with white varieties.
Terroir
Molasse seabed of the Miocene period covered by diluvial alpine deposits (rolled pebbles).
Ageing
The grapes are hand picked in small cases and sorted, pneumatically pressed. Settling of the juices and fermentation (30% in oak, 70% tanks). Bottled after 8 months.
Varietal
Roussanne : 100%

Advice

Serving
14°C in tasting glasses.
Tasting
Beautiful golden color.
The nose is slightly woody with an explosion of honey, peaches, exotic fruit and an exceptional richness and intensity.
The mouth has a remarkable texture, thick but fresh. We find notes of white flowers and honeysuckle, lavender, honey and orange zest. The balance is perfect especially with the minerality, coming from the limestone, which gives this wine a great texture. A great vintage of Roussanne Vieilles Vignes.

Reviews

97/100
"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."
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95/100
"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."
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17,5/20
"Less heavy and more lifted and aromatic than the regular bottling. Very sweet palate entry and then something nutty and rewarding with a hint of marzipan. Round and well balanced – though maybe not as refreshing as the regluar? It is bigger and softer."
"This white Chateauneuf du Pape has notes of marmalade, buttered citrus, orange rind and lavender. A good body with voluptuously textured white very rich, that's balanced by gorgeous purity and freshness. It is a very complex wine which pair very well with grilled fish, seafood and cheeses."
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94/100
"2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Roussanne
Vieilles Vignes (aged in a 50/50 blend of stainless steel tanks and oak barrels for eight months): Vivid yellow. An explosively perfumed bouquet evokes ripe
melon, nectarine and mango, and powerful mineral and floral elements add vivacity and lift. Broad, sappy
and deeply concentrated, offering intense orchard fruit and pit fruit flavors that stain the palate while showing
surprising vivacity. Strikes a deft balance between richness and finesse, picking up ginger and honey flourishes on the back half. Clings with outstanding energy and persistence on the finish, leaving sappy pear nectar and floral notes behind.
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