2012 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 750ml, Southern Rhone

96 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

 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. (JD)  (10/2014)

95 points Wine Spectator

 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. *Highly Recommended* (JM)  (11/2015)

94 points Wine & Spirits

 Maybe it is this estate’s position in the cooler north of the appellation, or maybe it’s the age of the vines, organically grown for half a century, that helped them weather August’s heat wave. Whatever it was, this is an exceptional 2012, a vast expanse of rich, spicy flavor, dark and full but never heavy. The juicy black raspberry flavor is more vehicle than main event, conveying a wealth of earth, stone and herbal detail. It lasts with brightness and energy, balanced to age another 10 or 15 years in the cellar.  (2/2016)

93 points Vinous

 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. (JR)  (4/2015)

Jancis Robinson

 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. 18/20 points. (10/2013)