2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve des Celestins
Buying options
Tasting notes
Scheduled to be bottled in October (it’s probably already in bottle), the 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve des Célestins is gorgeous stuff and has everything you expect from this estate. Black currants, garrigue, beef blood and ground pepper all give way to a ripe, sexy and full-bodied beauty that has sweet tannin. I’m quite sure Henri would snub his nose and call the wine too easy, in his gregarious way, but count me as a fan. This iconic estate is no doubt in a transitional phase following the loss of Henri Bonneau in 2016. The young Marcel Bonneau is now at the helm and is receiving help from both Daniel Combin on the business side and Régis Charmasson in the vineyards and cave. The 2016 will be Marcel’s first vintage on his own, and the barrel samples are certainly promising.
Critic scores
Average Score
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
According to Marcel Bonneau on this visit, all of the 2012 wine will be bottled as Reserve des Celestins. Tasted from barrel, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve des Celestins flirts with that fine line between deep, chocolaty richness and raisiny over-ripeness. This is full-bodied and powerful but silky at the same time. If it's bottled soon, it should be amazing.
Deep ruby. Highly perfumed aromas of cherry compote, blueberry, anise and smoky herbs, with a suave potpourri flourish adding complexity. Juicy, expansive and concentrated, offering intense, spice-accented black and blue fruit flavors and a touch of floral pastilles. Fine-grained tannins build slowly on the very long, focused finish, which leaves a sexy lavender note behind.
Full ruby. Heady black and blue fruit aromas are lifted by smoky mineral and exotic Indian spice nuances. Offers deep, palate-staining blueberry and floral pastille flavors that pick up spiciness and energy with air. Closes smooth and long, with outstanding thrust and velvety tannins.
About the producer
This very old-school property makes the most unique Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The wines are fantastically complex and Boneauu made it as it would have been produced 100 years ago in the commune, using methods that familiar to any of the 11 generations of vignerons in his family who preceded him.
Product details
Grenache/ Garnacha , Syrah / Shiraz, Counoise, Syrah / Shiraz, Vaccarese
Red
Dry