2012 Chateauneuf du Pape les Petits Pieds de l'Armand
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Tasting notes
Dark purple. Heady aromas of candied dark berries, incense and licorice complicated by suggestions of vanilla, potpourri and five-spice powder. Lush, deeply flavored and broad, offering intense black and blue fruit flavors and an exotic floral pastille nuance. Finishes supple, spicy and extremely long, with resonating sweetness, a hint of licorice and smooth, suave tannins. This sexy wine is pretty appealing right now but has the depth and energy for cellaring.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
One of my favorite wines, and up there with the top dozen or so efforts in the vintage, the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Les Petits Pieds d’Armand comes all from sandy soils and old vines planted in the famed La Crau lieu-dit. Full-bodied, voluptuous and layered, it doesn’t pull any punches, yet never seems over-the-top, heavy or cumbersome. Giving up notes of garrigue, sugared spice, blackberry, black cherry liqueur and spring flowers, it’s already drinking beautifully, but will continue to shine through 2024 at a minimum.
Even better, and possibly the wine of the vintage, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Petits d’Armand is about as fabulous an expression of old vine Grenache as you’re likely to find. Massive and decadent, yet lively and fresh, it offers up a sweet bouquet of berry fruits, licorice, incense, flowers, garrigue to go with full-bodied richness and depth, thrilling purity, good freshness and blockbuster length. Gorgeous all around, it should drink well on release, yet last for 15+ years. Don’t miss it! Drink: 2014 - 2027. Wine Advocate #209 Oct 2013