L'Oratoire des Papes : Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2012

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2012 from L'Oratoire des Papes

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a deep garnet hue with intense violet highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals a captivating aromatic complexity with notes of black cherry, juniper berries and black pepper. With aeration, the bouquet develops nuances of crushed raspberry, chocolate and garrigue herbs evoking thyme and bay leaf. Hints of licorice, black olive and cigar box complete this Mediterranean aromatic palette.

Palate

On the palate, this wine seduces with its exceptionally velvety and creamy texture. The Grenache delivers a silky softness before the wine's power asserts itself. Flavors of ripe, almost stewed red fruits are accompanied by spices, licorice and black pepper. The tannins, perfectly defined and persistent, coat the palate with finesse. The remarkably long finish lingers on mentholated and mineral notes.

Food and wine pairing

This Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2012 pairs magnificently with aged red meats, roast leg of lamb with herbs of Provence and slow-cooked dishes such as cassoulet. It also pairs beautifully with feathered game, venison preparations and aged cheeses. Grilled Mediterranean vegetables, particularly eggplant and wild mushrooms, also make excellent pairings.

Serving and storage

This Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2012 is best enjoyed at a temperature of 59 to 61°F. Decanting for two to four hours allows the wine to fully reveal its aromatic complexity. This vintage can be enjoyed until around 2028.

A rich and silky Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The estate

L'Oratoire des Papes traces its origins to 1880, when Edouard Amouroux inherited a parcel of vines through marriage. The estate takes its name from an 18th-century oratory dedicated to Saint Mark, located just below the vineyard. In 1926, Léonce Amouroux created the iconic brand with its recognizable Art Deco label, which has remained unchanged for nearly a century. Acquired in 2000 by Maison Ogier, now part of the AdVini group, the estate spans 100 hectares in the Rhône Valley. Since 2015, Édouard Guérin, technical director, has brought a vision focused on organic viticulture and the authentic expression of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape terroirs.

The vineyard

The vineyard of L'Oratoire des Papes covers 22 hectares spread across the four iconic terroirs of Châteauneuf-du-Pape: rolled pebbles, safres, limestone fragments and red sandstone. These soils, originating from three distinct geological periods, give the wine its remarkable complexity. The plots benefit from a sunny Mediterranean climate, tempered by the mistral wind. The estate has been certified organic since 2006, with horse-drawn plowing and the exclusive use of natural manure since 2018. The vines, some of which are over fifty years old, are managed with respect for natural balance to produce grapes of exceptional quality.

The vintage

The 2012 vintage is characterized by classic and moderate climatic conditions in the southern Rhône Valley. Winter and spring featured moderate temperatures, promoting balanced vegetative growth. The summer, cooler and wetter than previous years, saw two decisive rainfall episodes: in late August, a welcome rain preserved the vines' water balance, while a second in late September accelerated the ripening of late-maturing plots. These conditions made it possible to harvest healthy, ripe grapes while preserving freshness and aromatic complexity.

Winemaking and aging

The harvest is carried out by hand with rigorous cluster selection. After a double sorting, the grapes are partially destemmed depending on the plots. The vinification of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2012 takes place primarily in eight tulip-shaped concrete tanks and partially in 300-liter barrels. Maceration, lasting approximately six weeks at 25°C, favors gentle extraction. Aging takes place in two phases: twelve months in French oak foudres and concrete tanks, followed by eight additional months in concrete tanks, totaling twenty months before bottling.

Grape varieties

Grenache, Syrah, complemented by other traditional grape varieties of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation.