2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Signature

Showing slightly better now than it did on release (which is common for all of Julien's wines, and the '12s in general), the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Signature is a blend of 65% Grenache, 16% Mourvedre, 13% Syrah and 6% other permitted varieties. It's young and fruity, yet still delivers tons of pleasure with its cassis, licorice, crushed flower and garrigue aromas and flavors. Beautifully fruited, rounded, supple and with sweet tannin, I suspect it will age gracefully (similar to '06) and drink well for all its life.

Deep ruby. Heady spice-accented blackberry and cherry aromas are complicated by suave floral and spice qualities, with white pepper and licorice nuances emering with air. Seamless, broad and sweet in the mouth, offering silky black and blue fruit preserve flavors and a hint of allspice. Closes juicy and long, with slow-building tannins and lingering spiciness.

(65% grenache, with syrah, mourvedre and cinsault): Bright ruby. Candied red fruits, spicecake and minerals on the highly perfumed nose, with an exotic blood orange nuance in the background. Juicy and precise, displaying very good clarity and lift to its sappy raspberry and cherry flavors. Darker in tone on the finish, clinging with impressive tenacity and appealing sweetness.