Warm raspberry and boysenberry confiture aromas and flavors are dominant in this lush, inviting style, but there's plenty of dried star anise, bay leaf, licorice root, worn leather and roasted juniper notes to fill out the chorus. The finish turns youthfully grippy, with a tarry edge holding sway and adding serious length. Try now, but cellar for maximum effect. Best from 2018 through 2030. James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, Note : 95/100, 2015-10-28

Opaque ruby. Potent, mineral-laced raspberry and cherry aromas are complicated by suave floral and spice qualities, picking up white pepper and cola accents with air. Seamless, round and sweet on the palate, offering intense red berry preserve and floral pastille flavors with a touch of allspice. Finishes sappy and precise, with velvety tannins and a late jolt of cherry compote. Josh Raynolds, Vinous, Note : 93/100, 2015-04-01

What I think might end up being the best Beaucastel since the 1990 or 2001, the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape offers a full-bodied, decadent style to go with awesome black and blue fruits, garrigue, licorice, crushed flowers and violets. The purity here is truly something, and it has fabulous mid-palate concentration, building tannin and massive texture. Given all of the fruit and texture here, it will no doubt drink well in its youth, but it should still be alive and kicking after two decades as well. Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate, Note : 96/100, 2014-10-30

The 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape has been blended and sits in foudre, waiting to be bottled. It shows the vintage profile beautifully—sleek, pure and long, with very refined structure that lets incense, blood orange, red currant and blackberry fruit play out, while hints of mesquite, spice and anise fill the background on the finish. It's remarkably silky for a young Beaucastel, whose high Mourvèdre component often results in it being one of the more dense and backward wines of the AOC when young. But don't be misled to think that means it will be an early-maturing Beaucastel; this has the density, poise and balance to cellar as well as the top vintages such as 2010 and '05. James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 2014-07-07

A deep, free and varied nose. This is modern and rock’n’roll. Sensuous fruit and ripe tannins. Decanter, Note : 95/100, 2014-05-01

This is also a great vintage for the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape. Beautifully rich and layered, with fantastic concentration and ultra-fine tannin, it delivers impressive aromas and flavors of dark fruits, licorice, mineral, and plum. Dense and rich, yet with perfect ripeness and bright acidity, it should end up being a classic example of Beaucastel and have two decades of longevity. Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate, Note : 94-96/100, 2013-11-01

Deep, dark and brooding, this 2012 Beaucastel combines fresh hedgerow fruit with liquorice, clove, Middle Eastern spice and gentle cherry liqueur richness. Extremely impressive concentration on the palate, this is fleshy but serious; where the layers of flavour continue to add intrigue and complexity right through the finish. An incredibly hedonistic wine, it will certainly provide ample reward long into the future. Lay and Wheeler, 2013-10-15

Beautiful fruits, both black and red berry. Garrigue, spice. A super succulent and unctuous wine possessing silky, sensual tannins. Wonderfully textured and incredibly approachable. Fields Morris & Verdin, 2013-10-10

Pre-assemblage. Very dark crimson. Vibrant colour is almost black. Black olives and smoked bacon. Extremely vibrant on the nose too. Luscious ripe fruit on the front palate almost completely covers the tannins. Really quite remarkable. What a different wine from the 2011! Sumptuous. Jancis Robinson, Note : 18/20

Another stunner from the Perrin family. Deep, earthy; juicy and bright with racy blueberry, raspberry and cassis; lush, elegant and seamless with deep spice, licorice and violets; long and tangy and seductive; wonderful now; even better in ten years. The Tasting Panel, Note : 96/100