I found the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape surprisingly soft and one-dimensional. Sporting a transparent ruby color as well as light berry fruit, leather, toasted spice and underbrush, it’s medium-bodied and nicely balanced/focused, but falls off on the finish. Hopefully I caught this on an off day, but as it is, I’d lean toward drinking bottles over the coming 5-7 years.