Chateauneuf du Pape 2012: 10 Best Wines, Prices, Vintage Notes

The Chateauneuf du Pape 2012 wines are rich with silky tannins and are best enjoyed young. 

These wines are made with the classic Rhone Valley grape varieties like Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvedre, and more.

This article explores the unique Chateauneuf du Pape 2012 vintage, what the 2012 growing season was like in this Southern Rhone Valley region, and the best bottles of Chateauneuf du Pape 2012.

Was 2012 A Good Year For Chateauneuf du Pape?

The Chateauneuf du Pape 2012 vintage is known for its elegance and finesse. Here’s a quick look at the year’s growing season:

• Winter: At the start of the season, the temperatures dropped rapidly and frigid winds set in during winter. This led to poor vine growth.

• Spring: This season was wet so the vines were prone to developing mold and other diseases. 

• Summer: The summer was warm with sufficient rain to help the vines grow. 

• Fall: In September, the days were warm and the nights cool - the ideal weather for grapes to ripen fully. 

The 2012 growing season led to wines with balanced acidity and mild, well-integrated tannins. 

What Is Special About the Chateauneuf du Pape 2012 Wines?

Chateauneuf du Pape wine tastes great in its youth. But, if you prefer mature flavors, you can cellar some of the most exceptional 2012 red wine bottles for around a decade.

The top wines of the vintage have enjoyed significant price increases. For example, between 2020 and 2021:

• The 2012 Chimere Chateauneuf du Pape rose by 13%, from $934 to $1,056.
• The 2012 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Grand Cuvee Hommage a Jacques Perrin increased by 10%, from $365 to $404.

If you’d like to add a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape 2012 to your collection, the easiest way to do it is through Vinovest. This trusted wine investment company will help you buy, store, and sell your fine wines with ease.

10 Best Chateauneuf du Pape 2012 Wines

These are some of the best Chateauneuf du Pape 2012 wines:

1. 2012 Chimere Chateauneuf du Pape, Rhone, France ($1,145)

This red wine has aromas of licorice, black raspberry, and crushed flowers. The palate is nuanced with dark fruit, velvety tannins, and fabulous mid-palate concentration. 

Wine Advocate gave this wine an incredible score of 99 points and described it as a structured masculine wine that has to be tried. 

2. 2012 Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve des Celestins, Rhone, France ($346)

This fine wine has delicious chocolate and ripe raisin fruit aroma notes. The palate has roasted juniper, garrigue, white pepper flavor notes, and a sweet tannin texture. 

3. 2012 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Grand Cuvee Hommage a Jacques Perrin, Rhone, France ($418)

Here is an enchanting red wine with white pepper, red fruit, and spice aroma notes. The palate has licorice root, cherry, and raspberry tasting notes.

This blend scored 99 points on Wine Advocate and can be enjoyed even after 3-4 decades of cellaring.

4. 2012 Clos Saint-Jean Chateauneuf du Pape Sanctus Sanctorum, Rhone, France ($376)

This Clos Saint-Jean wine has an incredible aroma of cassis, black raspberry, and licorice. The palate is full-bodied with cherry compote, floral pastille flavors, and silky tannins. 

5. 2012 Rotem & Mounir Saouma Chateauneuf du Pape 'Le Petit Livre de A.M. Bach - 60 Mensis', Rhone, France ($218)

This wine has coffee, white pepper, licorice, and cherry aromas with a dark fruit flavor and silky tannins.

6. 2012 Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve, Rhone, France ($227)

Here is a wine with licorice, dark fruit, bitter cherry, Indian spice, and confiture aromas. The palate has warm raspberry fruit and blackcurrant tasting notes and fabulous mid-palate concentration. 

This world-class wine scored 98 and 96 points on Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator, respectively. 

7. 2012 Roger Sabon Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Le Secret des Sabon, Rhone, France ($157)

This red wine has an aroma bouquet of sweet blackcurrant and strawberry fruit. An exquisite tannin texture, cherry compote, roasted juniper, licorice, and garrigue round off the palate.

8. 2012 Rotem & Mounir Saouma Chateauneuf du Pape 'Arioso', Rhone, France ($179)

This expressive wine has a nose of cherry fruit, crushed flowers, and dark fruit liqueur notes. The palate has hints of dark chocolate, licorice root, and velvety tannins. 

Jeb Dunnuck ranks this as one of the top wines of the 2012 vintage and gave it a high score of 96.

9. 2012 Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee, Rhone, France ($183)

Here is a wine with black fruit, roasted juniper, white pepper, and confiture aromas. The palate consists of red fruit and plum notes with a soft tannin texture. 

The Wine Advocate scored the blend 94 points.

10. 2012 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape, Rhone, France ($106)

This inky-hued wine has blackcurrant, spice, and red fruit on the nose. It has a delicate tannin texture, cherry, and stewed fruit on the palate.

Chateauneuf du Pape 2012: Fruity, Refreshing, and Vibrant

The Chateauneuf du Pape 2012 wine is ideal for red wine lovers who enjoy fruit-forward, refreshing, vibrant wines. Some of the most exceptional Chateauneuf du Pape 2012 bottles have great aging potential. 

Check out the Vinovest website to grow your portfolio of fine wines with investment-grade wines from around the world!