2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Deus Ex Machina

Always the biggest, baddest effort in the lineup, the 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus Ex Machina is the normal split of 60% old vine Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre brought up in demi-muids. Deep, full-bodied, masculine, and concentrated, it has more structure than most in the vintage as well as awesome aromas and flavors of cured meats, black licorice, and chalky minerality, as well as loads of peppery dark fruits. Drink this gorgeous effort anytime over the coming 15-20 years.

Brilliant ruby. Complex, highly perfumed nose evokes fresh blackberry, cherry, spicecake and violet. Juicy, seamless and sweet on the palate, offering nuanced flavors of dark fruit liqueur, succulent herbs and candied flowers. Densely packed but also lithe and precise, with slow-building tannins giving shape to the wine's exuberant fruit on the long, sappy finish. (JR)

The 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Deus Ex Machina is a blend of 60% Grenache aged in foudre (from close to 100-year-old vines) and 40% Mourvedre aged in demi-muids. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by incredible notes of cassis, roasted meats, licorice, toasted spice and a liquid rock-like minerality. Full-bodied, massive and concentrated, yet also seamless, elegant and incredibly polished, it flows onto the palate with building tannin, no hard edges and perfect balance. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this merit a perfect rating in the future, and it should hit prime-time drinking around age 10, and have 20-25 years of overall longevity. It’s one of the few wines to hit this level of quality in the vintage.