Domaine des Sénéchaux : Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2012

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for the Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2012 from Domaine des Sénéchaux

Tasting

Colour

The colour is intense, adorned with purple hues that testify to the youth and concentration of this wine.

Nose

The nose is seductive, opening with aromas of cherry, wood and ripe red fruits. With aeration, notes of morello cherry and liquorice complete this harmonious aromatic palette.

Palate

The attack subtly marries unctuousness and power, giving way to a bouquet of blackcurrant and raspberry flavours, enhanced by a touch of spice and vanilla. The harmonious, woody finish confirms the full potential of this wine.

Food and Wine Pairings

This red Châteauneuf-du-Pape is an ideal companion to classic meats such as veal, beef, lamb, duck or game, whether roasted, braised or slow-cooked in a stew. It also pairs well with grilled meats and cassoulet, as well as with more original combinations such as Asian dishes, tuna, mushrooms, cheese or even pasta.

Serving and Cellaring

The Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2012 from Domaine des Sénéchaux is best enjoyed at a temperature of around 15.5 °C. Bottles that are still young will benefit from being decanted about one hour before tasting, allowing their aromatic bouquet to fully unfold.

A Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Domaine des Sénéchaux, Powerful and Harmonious

The Estate

Domaine des Sénéchaux, whose current vineyard took shape in the 1950s, is located in the heart of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, in the southern Rhône Valley. After being run by the Roux family from 1993, the estate was taken over in 2006 by the Cazes family, who also own Château Lynch-Bages in Pauillac, before a co-ownership was established in 2018 with the Pradon family. The estate takes its name from the Bois Sénéchaux district, where its historic plots are located.

The Vineyard

The plots of this Châteauneuf-du-Pape are situated in the Bois Sénéchaux district, on a mosaic of soils made up of stony clay-limestone slopes, molasse and sandy safres, as well as deep sands. Facing south and south-west, these plots benefit from even ripening. Vineyard management favours short pruning, regular ploughing, the use of organic fertilisers and leaf thinning, for deliberately limited yields.

The Vintage

The year 2012 began with a cold, dry end to winter, leading to uneven budburst in late March. Flowering nevertheless took place under good conditions at the end of May, while the April rains helped replenish water reserves. August was scorching, accelerating the ripening of the berries, before a cooler, rainier start to September helped preserve acidity. The harvest ran from 17 September to 9 October, beginning with Syrah, followed by Grenache and then Mourvèdre.

Winemaking and Ageing

The winemaking of this Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2012 relies on intensive work in the vat, combining punching down, rack-and-return and gentle pumping over, in order to extract the tannins while preserving the roundness of the wine. After systematic destemming of the harvest, fermentation lasts 28 to 32 days. Ageing, over a period of 12 months, is divided between 25% one-year-old barrels, 60% foudres and 15% vats.

Grape Varieties

Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre make up the blend of this wine.