Tardieu-Laurent Cuvée Spéciale Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2012

Coming all from the La Crau lieu-dit and sandy soils, the 100% Grenache, 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Speciale is a gorgeous, medium to full-bodied barrel sample that gives up loads of plum sauce, blackberry, garrigue, saddle leather and pepper on the nose. Aged all in 3 to 5-year-old barrels, it is an elegant, yet rich and concentrated effort that will have 12-15 years of longevity. Drink 2015-2027. Score - 93-95. (Jeb Dunnuck, erobertparker.com, Oct. 2013)