Grand Veneur Chateauneuf Du Pape Rouge 2012 (magnum) is made 70% Grenache noir, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and others.

An intense dark-ruby colour. The nose develop aromas of ripe black fruit (such as blackberry), cherry and spice box. The palate reveals the presence of tannins, in high quantity and elegant. The finish is long and luxurious. This is the Châteauneuf du Pape expression, displaying all the characteristics of the terroir.

Soil type Plots are located northern part of Châteauneuf du Pape and the vines are grown under organic process.The soil is marked by the violence wrought by the Rhone river. It consists of a layer of marine molasses of the Miocene period covered by alpine alluvium. The presence of a great number of rounded stones known as "galets" in the earth is evidence of the time when the Rhone, then a torrent, tore fragments of rock from the Alps and deposited them on the plain. The GRAND VENEUR cuvee will express year after year a great power and aromatic complexity. Winemaking & ageing Harvest is sorted by hand, destemmed and crushed. Fermentation temperature is controlled at 30°C. Vatting period of 18 to 20 days. Matured in vats and oak casks.

Review:

"Starting off the Chateauneufs and a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre that spent 14 months in 30% small barrels, the Grand Veneur 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape offers fabulous notes of spring flowers, garrigue, spice-box and sweet blackberry styled fruit characteristics. Medium to full-bodied, with a textured, elegant feel, it has superb purity of fruit, good acidity and a nicely focused finish. Drink it over the coming decade. Drink now-2024. -JD"

Wine Advocate (Issue #209, October 2013), 90-92 pts