2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Le Secret des Sabon, Roger Sabon, Rhône
- Red
- Dry
- Full Bodied
Ready - at best
- Jeb Dunnuck
- 96/100
Product: 20121170487
Description
Two parcels of 80-year-old vines in the east of the Courthezon commune are usually selected for this micro-cuvée, which is not always made. Ageing is in demi-muid this time, allowing full glorious expression to the dark velvety fruit, virtually all of which comes from Grenache. The secret is out.
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer
Head winemaker, Didier Negron (son in law of the late Jean-Jacques Sabon) was so impressed by the enthusiasm and knowledge of our customers he met at our En Primeur Tasting that he wanted to offer Berry Bros. & Rudd’s customers an additional parcel of his top wine, Le Secret de Sabon.
Roger Sabon was described by Robert Parker as "one of the more intellectual vignerons in Châteauneuf du-Pape". There are four red wines produced by Roger Sabon, the first three are blends of vineyards’ fruit and the final, Le Secret, more site-specific and made in very small volumes and only in certain years.
Chris Pollington, Private Account Manager
Didier Negron places 2012 between 2010 and 2011 stylistically, praising its structure and finesse. A little rain in August was helpful for the grapes, ensuring equilibrium, with both yields and pH levels lower than normal. There are four red wines, the first three selected primarily on perceived merit and the final, Le Secret, more site-specific and made in very small volumes.
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer
Head winemaker, Didier Negron (son in law of the late Jean-Jacques Sabon) was so impressed by the enthusiasm and knowledge of our customers he met at our En Primeur Tasting that he wanted to offer Berry Bros. & Rudd’s customers an additional parcel of his top wine, Le Secret de Sabon.
Roger Sabon was described by Robert Parker as "one of the more intellectual vignerons in Châteauneuf du-Pape". There are four red wines produced by Roger Sabon, the first three are blends of vineyards’ fruit and the final, Le Secret, more site-specific and made in very small volumes and only in certain years.
Chris Pollington, Private Account Manager
Didier Negron places 2012 between 2010 and 2011 stylistically, praising its structure and finesse. A little rain in August was helpful for the grapes, ensuring equilibrium, with both yields and pH levels lower than normal. There are four red wines, the first three selected primarily on perceived merit and the final, Le Secret, more site-specific and made in very small volumes.
Colour Red
Sweetness Dry
Vintage 2012
Maturity Ready - at best
Body Full Bodied
Producer Domaine Roger Sabon
Critics reviews
Jeb Dunnuck 96/100
The top wine of the estate is the 2012 Chteauneuf du Pape le Secret de Sabon, and the inky-colored 2012 is a brilliant effort. I dont think it hits the heights of the 2010, 2007 or 2001, but its still a singular expression of Grenache that could come from nowhere else, and is distinctly different from the three prior Chteauneufs. Possessing a sweet nose of ripe raspberries, kirsch, garrigue and licorice, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, tons of glycerol and texture, sweet tannin and moderate acidity. Its already approachable, yet I suspect will improve with another handful of years in the cellar and drink well through 2027 at a minimum.jeb_dunnuck - 31/10/2014
About this wine
Domaine Roger Sabon
Roger Sabon is described by Robert Parker as "one of the more intellectual vignerons in Châteauneuf du-Pape". His vineyard holdings are surprisingly small, around 14 hectares, which are divided between his properties in Lirac, Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Cotes du Rhône. The Châteauneuf vineyards are well situated in Les Cabrieres, La Crau, Courtherzon and Nalys and the average age of his vines is unusually high with some of them dating back to the early 1900s. The general cepage is made up of 70% Grenache although this is reduced in his top two cuvées, the Cuvee Reservee and he Cuvée Prestige. Roger Sabon is a traditionalist and prefers to age his wines in small oak piece, none of which are new, for six months following a sojourn en cuve. He places great emphasis upon elegance rather than power in his wines and in youth his wine can be deceiving. With time, however, they grow and gain in depth and complexity and are some of the finest Châteauneufs being produced today.
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