Rhône 2012 – Châteauneuf-du-Pape reds

Although the vintage was extremely mixed, the best 2012 Châteauneufs are delicious, with much more vibrant fruit and sweetness than was evident in 2011 (see this early report on the 2012 harvest in the Rhône). I will be writing more about the unusual challenges facing producers here a week on Saturday. Just look at those alcohols!

But when I tasted my way blind through more than 200 of them in ideal tasting conditions at the Féderation de Syndicats...