Wine Advisor
Roger Sabon, Chateauneuf Du Pape Cuvee Prestige 2012
Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Inky ruby. Deeply pitched black and blue fruit aromas display very good clarity, picking up notes of star anise and smoky minerals with air. Supple and creamy on the palate, with intense blueberry and floral pastille flavors given lift by juicy acidity. Clings with strong tenacity on the smoothly tannic finish.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Inky purple. Sexy, intensely perfumed cherry and dark berries on the nose. Smooth and seamless in texture, offering deep blackberry and cherry-cola flavors enlivened by bright acidity and a smoky mineral nuance. Smoothly blends richness and vivacity and finishes with excellent clarity and persistence--and just a hint of tannins.
Reviewed by: Jeb Dunnuck
Another step up in quality (but not by much, and it’s a step up in price as well), the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Prestige is one of the top efforts in this outstanding vintage. Mostly Grenache, with 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre and other permitted varieties, it offers classic black raspberry, cassis, licorice and smoked-meat-like aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, concentrated and with a stacked mid-palate and sweet tannin, it builds on the palate and will have 15+ years of overall longevity.
Reviewed by: Jeb Dunnuck
Showing more fruit and depth, yet still a more reserved version of this cuvée, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Prestige is a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre that will spend 18 months in mostly older foudre, yet with 30% in barrels. Medium to full-bodied, pure and lively, with clean, classical aromas and flavors, solid concentration and fine tannin, it will have 12-15 years of longevity. Drink 2015-2027. A fantastic estate that covers close to 44 acres throughout the appellation, Domaine Roger Sabon was created by Roger Sabon in 1952. The estate was taken over by Roger’s sons (Jean-Jacques, Denis and Gilbert) in 1976, and since 2001, the wines are made by Didier Negron, who is Jean-Jacques’ stepson. The estate produces upward of four red Chateauneufs in a given vintage and one white. In addition, they release a solid Cotes du Rhone and Lirac.
About the Producer
Our family estate was founded in 1952 by Roger SABON. After several generations, the estate has reached a total surface of 50 hectares split up on both sides of the Rhône. 18 hectares belong to the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, on the left bank of the River, and spread over 14 different plots. On the right bank, the vineyard includes 12 hectares in the Lirac appellation, 6 hectares of Côtes-du-Rhône and 14 hectares of Vin de France. This diversity allows us to develop and offer our customers a wide choice of wines with varied profiles White wines represent around 5% of the total production. Grapes are hand harvested, placed into boxes and undergo a light pneumatic pressing. The juices obtained are then protected from the oxidation phenomena in order to preserve the aromatic potential. Our “Vins de France” will then ferment in stainless steel vats, whereas our Châteauneuf-du-Pape blanc will ferment in 25 hl wooden tanks. The fermentation temperature is regulated around 16 ° C. Vinification of red wine is characterized, for our entire wine range, by a long period of maceration of the grapes in vats, associated with a relatively gentle extraction. Destemming – the removal of the vegetal part of the bunch- is required here in order to prevent any problem during maceration.