Chene Bleu Abelard 2012

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Peter Abelard was a medieval French scholar, theologian and logician who had a legendary love affair with Heloise, a brilliant scholar of Latin, Greek and Hebrew. Together they represent the coming-together of minds and passion, and are history’s ultimate “power couple”. Grenache-predominant Abelard is the more brooding and masculine, while Syrah-predominant Heloise is the more delicate and feminine.

Accolades:
96/100 – Bob Campbell MW
95/100 – Wine Enthusiast
95/100 – Meridith May
94/100 – VinePair
93/100 – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
17.5/20 – Jancis Robinson
Gold – London Wine Competition 2020
Top 10 Wines of 2020 – Geoffrey Dean

“Grenache/syrah blend with 18 months barrel maturation. A restrained, complex and elegant red that combines the spiciness of grenache with the subtle power of syrah. Spice, pepper, violet, dark berry, leather and nutty oak flavours. Should age well.” – Bob Campbell MW

“Received in early 2021 almost a decade after harvest, this spicy, complex blend of Grenache and Syrah hits all the right notes of a well-matured Southern Rhône red. It’s shaded by accents of autumn leaves, caramelized balsamic and nutmeg but retains a penetrating core of blackberry and black-plum flavors. Cut with shards of limestone and salt, this invigorating, peppery wine finishes long on fine, feathery tannins and a murmur of leather. It’s delicious now but should hold well through 2025.” – Wine Enthusiast

“The fruit sweetness is more penetrating on the nose compared with the Héloïse; the developed character is more leathery than black olive, with just a hint of mocha.” – Julia Harding MW, for Jancis Robinson

“Thirty- and 40-year-old vines grown on stony clay and limestone soil in the south of France produced this marvelous blend of 85% Grenache Noir and 15% Syrah, which spent 18 months in French oak and two years in bottle. A perfume of lilac and licorice exudes from the glass. The deep and dark palate is beautifully assembled, with velvet-lined tannins, dried heather, black cherry, and winsome notes of peppered plum.” – Meridith May

“This wine is wonderful. It smells like a forest in autumn, and cooking herbs like oregano and rosemary. There is also a hint of bramble fruit (blackberries, raspberries) fresh off the prickly vine. The palate is savory, with a whiff of black pepper, and the tannins are still a bit dusty around the edges, but the wine is drinking well now. This is a great wine for roast pork, turkey, or any lean meat on the holiday table.” – VinePair

“A blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah, the 2012 IGP Vaucluse Abelard is nominally the more “masculine” of the two red cuvées. In fact, this vintage, the Abelard is softer and plusher, albeit slightly less complex. Smoky elements frame ripe black cherries on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is ripe and supple, giving way to a velvety feel on the finish.” – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“A very classy wine made up of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah, this gorgeous blend from the southern Rhône has alluring clove, licorice and pepper notes on the nose with very appetising red plum and black cherry fruit on the palate. Blessed with very silky tannins, it has tremendous intensity of flavour with hints of spice and a long finish. All the wine’s elements are impeccably balanced. The Rolet family’s hard work and passion in reviving this estate near the old Roman town of Vaison-la-Romaine has been rewarded with what is now a formidable stable of wines.” – Geoffrey Dean

Tasting Note: 85% Grenache, 15% Syrah, aged 18 months in French oak. Deep, brilliant garnet. Intense nose with notes of black cherry, plum and liquorice, mixed with hints of torrefaction and fine spices. Powerful, full-bodied palate, with velvety tannins. Notes of cocoa and mocha, mixed with hints of dark fruits. Long aromatic finish, with hints of spices and plums. Enjoy with roast beef, venison, duck and roasted vegetables. Decant for 2-3 hours and serve at room temperature. Ageing potential: 15-20 years.

Certification: Organic, Biodynamic

Alcohol: 14.0%

Varietal: 85% Grenache, 15% Syrah

Region: Vaucluse, Rhone Valley, France