98+ Always the biggest, baddest effort in the lineup, the 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus Ex Machina is the normal split of 60% old vine Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre brought up in demi-muids. Deep, full-bodied, masculine, and concentrated, it has more structure than most in the vintage as well as awesome aromas and flavors of cured meats, black licorice, and chalky minerality, as well as loads of peppery dark fruits. Drink this gorgeous effort anytime over the coming 15-20 years.

The 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Deus Ex Machina is a blend of 60% Grenache aged in foudre (from close to 100-year-old vines) and 40% Mourvedre aged in demi-muids. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by incredible notes of cassis, roasted meats, licorice, toasted spice and a liquid rock-like minerality. Full-bodied, massive and concentrated, yet also seamless, elegant and incredibly polished, it flows onto the palate with building tannin, no hard edges and perfect balance. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this merit a perfect rating in the future, and it should hit prime-time drinking around age 10, and have 20-25 years of overall longevity. It’s one of the few wines to hit this level of quality in the vintage. - Jeb Dunnuck

Sublime example of Chateauneuf du Pape. Mineral driven, with garrigue, pepper, dark red fruits and just a hint of oak, the wine is mouth filling, long and fresh, leaving you with the opulent, fat sensation of fresh, spicy, black raspberries that lingers. This is pure deliciousness in a bottle, which is what you'd expect when you blend some of the best old vine Grenache and Mourvedre in the appellation. This could be a contender for the best wine of the vintage.

Big but deftly balanced, with tiers of fig, blackberry, black currant and plum fruit supported by baker's chocolate, maduro tobacco, pepper, bay leaf and roasted alder notes. The intense finish lingers. Best from 2017 through 2034. – JM