Ch Latour Expat's "Magnum" Opus
2012 Domaine Les Aurelles Solen Pezenas MAGNUM
Domaine Les Aurelles is not your typical Languedoc estate. Run by Basile and Caroline Saint-Germain, this iconic producer is legendary for doing things the hard way. They refuse to use oak barrels, aging their cuvées exclusively in enameled vats and holding them back in the cellar until they reach absolute peak harmony. Sourced from ancient basalt and gravel terraces, the 2012 "Solen" cuvée—a blend of 60% old-vine Carignan and 40% Grenache—is a masterclass in patience and purity. Instead of rus…
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US Exclusive: We are currently the only online retailer in the United States offering the 2012 vintage of this wine.
Biodynamic Farming: Crafted from low-yielding parcels farmed with strict biodynamic practices.
$150.00
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Tasting notes
Aroma
Wild and deeply complex. It opens with vibrant notes of cherry, rhubarb, and baking spices. As it breathes, mature, savory aromas of worn leather, earth, and cherry pipe tobacco begin to emerge
Palate
Powerful yet incredibly smooth and slick on the palate. It delivers a rich core of fruit and subtle cocoa nibs, framed by a noticeable tannic structure that has melted into pure silk over the last 14 years. It finishes with a long, fresh mineral grip that is practically begging for a rich, savory meal.
Red Wine Body Profile
Light
Bold
Body Profile
Structured
66/100 Intensity
Light
Bold
66.0/100
Feather-light
Delicate
Lifted
Structured
Deep
Grapes
60% Carignan, 40% Grenache
ABV
14.5%
Serving
53–58°F
Window
2025–2068
Pairs with
Lamb
Beef
Pasta
Poultry
Vegetables
Try our pairing recipe: Garlic & Rosemary Grilled Lamb Chops
In Detail
The 2012 Les Aurelles Solen. Perfectly cellared and ready.
Domaine Les Aurelles is not your typical Languedoc estate. Run by Basile and Caroline Saint-Germain, this iconic producer is legendary for doing things the hard way. They refuse to use oak barrels, aging their cuvées exclusively in enameled vats and holding them back in the cellar until they reach absolute peak harmony. Sourced from ancient basalt and gravel terraces, the 2012 "Solen" cuvée—a blend of 60% old-vine Carignan and 40% Grenache—is a masterclass in patience and purity.
Instead of rushing it to market, the Saint-Germains aged this 2012 vintage for a staggering 48 months in vats before bottling. This exceptionally long élevage preserves the vibrant fruit purity while softening Carignan’s naturally muscular structure into pure, melted silk. Bottled in a rare 1.5-liter magnum format, the extra volume has allowed the wine to age gracefully, preserving incredible freshness alongside deep maturity.
Top French critics predicted this 2012 release would evolve into a masterpiece with time. Now, fourteen years after harvest, it has proven them right. In the glass, it uncoils with aromas of ripe blackberry, dark plum, wild garrigue herbs, cocoa nibs, and crushed volcanic stone. The palate is weightless yet deep, offering smooth tannins, savory tapenade, and an electric mineral finish.
If you love mature Châteauneuf-du-Pape but crave greater mineral tension and fresh elegance, this collector's magnum is an absolute necessity.
