98 Da Robert Parker
The awesome 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Reserve is at the top of the heap in the vintage, and is world-class stuff. Sharing lots of similarities to the Les Trois Sources (they come from similar terroirs), it has another level of concentration and density, with incredible liquid rock, blueberry, violets, licorice and bouquet garni-like aromas and flavors. A rock star on the palate, it has full-bodied power, perfect balance, a seamless, elegant texture and blockbuster mid-palate depth. Coming from 100-year-old Grenache vines and pure sand soils, it’s a tour de force that will have two-plus decades of life.<br/>Jean-Paul Daumen continues to fashion some of the top wines of the vintage, in just about every vintage. We started the tasting with his 2013s and these have to be considered successes in the vintage. Finishing up harvest on October 17th, the wines have classic Vieille Julienne characters, as well as good concentration and ripe tannic structure. I think they’ll be some of the longest-lived wines in the vintage. Looking at the 2012s, these are stunning wines that show the more structured, age-worthy side to the vintage. While I normally prefer the Hauts Lieux, the 2012 les Trois Sources has more flesh and texture at this point. Either way, both are superb and warrant a place in your cellar. In addition, his Daumen label continues to offer serious bang for the buck.
96 Da Wine Spectator
Packed in tight, with fig, boysenberry and blackberry confiture notes bursting with youthful energy, harnessed by graphite, tar and ganache elements. Reveals a terrific bolt of anise through the finish, showing echoes of juniper and violet. There's superb range and depth here. This will take some cellaring to unwind fully. Best from 2019 through 2035. 30 cases imported. –JM
The awesome 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Reserve is at the top of the heap in the vintage, and is world-class stuff. Sharing lots of similarities to the Les Trois Sources (they come from similar terroirs), it has another level of concentration and density, with incredible liquid rock, blueberry, violets, licorice and bouquet garni-like aromas and flavors. A rock star on the palate, it has full-bodied power, perfect balance, a seamless, elegant texture and blockbuster mid-palate depth. Coming from 100-year-old Grenache vines and pure sand soils, it’s a tour de force that will have two-plus decades of life.<br/>Jean-Paul Daumen continues to fashion some of the top wines of the vintage, in just about every vintage. We started the tasting with his 2013s and these have to be considered successes in the vintage. Finishing up harvest on October 17th, the wines have classic Vieille Julienne characters, as well as good concentration and ripe tannic structure. I think they’ll be some of the longest-lived wines in the vintage. Looking at the 2012s, these are stunning wines that show the more structured, age-worthy side to the vintage. While I normally prefer the Hauts Lieux, the 2012 les Trois Sources has more flesh and texture at this point. Either way, both are superb and warrant a place in your cellar. In addition, his Daumen label continues to offer serious bang for the buck.