Four top 2012 Chateauneuf tradition cuvées

25 Apr 2014

View from Chateauneuf-du-pape

The tradition or classique (the equivalent of the Burgundian village level) cuvées of the leading estates of Chateuneuf-du-Pape have been quietly improving in quality over recent years. Whilst the highest scores and bulk of media attention are lavished on their super cuvées, this category provides pure drinking pleasure at very modest prices.

This is never truer than in 2012. An unusual combination of lots of grapes but very small yields has given us wines with lots of freshness but beautifully balanced fruit. 2012 in Chateauneuf is a vintage of classic beauty; pretty and charming wines for almost immediate pleasure. Where 2011s are fleshy and voluptuous, 2012s are finer and more detailed.

Small yields are the rule in 2012 as so often recently and in this case it was the winter wot done it. A very weird heatwave in January saw temperatures hit 20C followed in February by a fortnight of -20C. Grenache was affected first by this and then by disruptive weather during flowering. But the result of this is wines which will be hugely enjoyable and versatile; tradition wines with slightly less than customary alcohol and with superbly pure fruit. /CW 

Offered subject to confirmation for shipment autumn 2014