a touch of asparagus gives the wine a greenness in the middle palate but there's also plenty of supporting dark fruit and graphite minerality

the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Réservée is a classic

The spicy and overtly muscular big-bodied flavors display even more minerality on the lush but refined finish that is seriously powerful and persistent

Firm reduction renders the nose unreadable at present

It remains to be seen if that is a true stylistic shift or simply a reflection of the 2015 vintage

Canon Gaffeliere other_regions a touch of asparagus gives55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Tasted blind. Not much nose but lots of mass. And tannins are still much in evidence but there is a certain sleekness. Inky finish and good drive.