2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Piedlong Lieux Dits Et Pignan

A new wine that will now replace the l'Accent cuvee from Domaine la Roquete (and going forward, there will be no more red wine produced from the la Roquete estate), the 2012 Piedlong Chateauneuf du Pape is a superb looking tank sample. Comprised of 90% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre and vinified all in wood tank, with 30% whole-cluster, it possesses medium to full-bodied richness, firm tannin and excellent purity, with plenty of blackberry fruit, dried spice and licorice on the nose. Give it a couple years in the cellar and it should impress through 2024. Drink 2016-2024. Located in the southeastern part of Chateauneuf du Pape and located mainly on the prime La Crau plateau, this classic and traditional estate has been run by the Brunier family for generations. Now managed by brothers Daniel and Frederic, the estate continues to churn out a range of high class wines. In addition to their holdings in Chateauneuf du Pape (Vieux Telegraphe, La Roquete, and now Piedlong, which is a new wine replacing the red from La Roquete) they also make wines in Gigondas (Les Pallieres, Vin de Pays and Ventoux ). All of the wines are high quality and will be reviewed in part 2 of this report. To give you an idea on yields from this estate, in 2010 they reported yields of 27 hectoliters per hectare, 2011 was 32 hectoliters per hectare and 2012 came in at 30 hectoliters per hectare. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524