Domaine de la Charbonnière Les Hautes Bruquières Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2012

Excelling in the vintage, the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape les Hautes Brusquières is knockout stuff. Made from 60% Grenache, 39% Syrah and 1% Counoise, all from the Brusquières plateau located in the northern/western part of the appellation, it offers terrific black raspberry, roasted meats, licorice and spring flowers to go with a medium to full-bodied, silky, pure and layered feel on the palate. As with all of these new releases from Charbonnière, the tannin quality is exceptional. Enjoy this rock-star effort over the coming decade or longer. Drink: 2014-2024. Score - 93. (Jeb Dunnuck, erobertparker.com, Oct. 2014)