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  • 96
  • Nick's Import

2012 Domaine Les Aphillanthes Vieilles Vignes

Cotes du Rhone Villages, Southern Rhone, FRANCE
$29. 99
Bottle
$359.88 Dozen
Cellar: 4 - 5 Years (2019-2020)
ABV: 14.5%
Closure: Cork

One of our favourite Rhone producers, the 2012’s from Domaine Les Aphillanthes are up there with the best we’ve seen from this vintage possessing greater richness than many of their counterparts whilst still exhibiting excellent structural qualities.

A blend of Grenache and Mourvedre this superb Rhone opens with an opaque black dark red colour and a purple red hue. The nose displays ripe black raspberry top notes followed by some liquorice, incense, a touch of meatiness and spice. Full bodied, rich and powerful the palate is filled with juicy black raspberry and ripe black cherry flavours alongside a touch of liquorice, incense infusions, meatiness and light earth finishing very spicy. The opulent mouthfeel turns slightly chewy towards the finish with fine grained, solid tannins lurking beneath the generous layers of fruit. Excellent depth with a long juicy spicy black raspberry, black cherry, liquorice and dried meats aftertaste.
Cellar 4-5 years.
Alc. 14.5%

Other Reviews….
Easily one of the top Cotes du Rhones in the vintage, the spectacular 2012 Cotes du Rhone Village Vieilles Vignes, which is a blend of 100% old vine Grenache, aged half in barrel and half in tank, sports off the hook aromas and flavors (garrigue, strawberry, spice), full-bodied richness and a seamless, silky textured that has to be tasted to be believed. Getting more than one “Wow” in my notes, this is one barrel sample I can’t wait to taste from bottle. It should be ready to go on release and evolve gracefully for 7-8 years.
92-94 points
Jeb Dunnuck – Robert Parkers The Wine Advocate