ROC NU
GRAN RESERVA 2012
D.O. COSTERS DEL SEGRE • EXPRESSION OF ALTITUDE • CLOS PONS WINERY • SPAIN
"The pinnacle of time and stone: a masterful blend where the finesse of ripe fruit melts into an elegant mineral and balsamic complexity."
Roc Nu: The Balance of Patience in Untamed Lands
The Roc Nu 2012 750ml Red Wine is the flagship label of the Clos Pons winery, designed to demonstrate the extraordinary aging potential of the Les Garrigues region. Its name directly evokes the bareness of the rocky, limestone soil of its mountain vineyards, located more than 700 meters above sea level. Crafted from a noble blend of Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah from extremely low-yielding vines, this wine has rested patiently both in French oak barrels and in the silence of the bottle. The 2012 vintage is at a majestic peak: the impetuous tannins of its youth have transformed into an enveloping silk, achieving an aromatic sophistication where memories of candied fruit coexist with tertiary notes of subtle mineral elegance.
1. Technical Details
Winery / Producer: Clos Pons.
Specific Origin: Albagés, Les Garrigues, D.O. Costers del Segre, Catalonia, Spain.
Grape Variety: Selection of Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from old vines.
Terroir and Climate: Limestone soils poor in organic matter with an extreme microclimate of rigorous winters and arid summers, ideal for optimal concentration of sugars and polyphenols.
Aging: Prolonged aging in new fine-grained French oak barrels, followed by strict bottle refinement in the winery's underground cellars.
Style: Grand Reserva Red, robust, complex, sophisticated, and markedly balsamic.
Capacity: 750 ml bottle.
Vintage: 2012 (Collectible Historical Edition).
SKU: ESP-ROCNU-2012-750
2. Exclusive Tasting Notes
Appearance: Presents a deep and elegant cherry red color with elegant brick-red nuances and garnet rims at the edges of the glass, with impeccable brilliance and dense tears that fall majestically.
Nose: An aromatic concert of great complexity that evolves minute by minute in the glass. Initially, concentrated notes of ripe and stewed black fruits (figs, prunes) stand out, quickly giving way to subtle notes of pipe tobacco, old leather, bitter cocoa, cloves, black pepper, and a deeply balsamic and mineral background.
Palate: Regal, sumptuous entry with splendid volume. The palate is dense, glyceric, and superbly smooth thanks to its perfectly polished tannins from aging. It has a balanced natural acidity that keeps the wine lively and agile, finishing with an immensely long and elegant aftertaste with smoky notes and black licorice.
3. Wine Architecture
4. Recommended Moments and Pairings
High-End Gastronomic Pairing: The imposing complexity and sumptuousness of Roc Nu 2012 demands dishes of great presence and elaboration. It is the celestial companion for premium cuts of cured and slow-cooked meat, lamb ribs with fine herb crust, oxtail stewed in red wine, beef Wellington, and large game such as wild boar or venison in a berry sauce. It harmonizes exquisitely with desserts based on high-percentage dark chocolate and long-aged cheese boards (aged Manchego, Parmigiano Reggiano, or intense blue cheeses).
Suggested Moments:
- **Highest-Tier Business:** Its exclusive profile, the maturity of the 2012 vintage, and the undisputed renown of Clos Pons make it the definitive bottle to entertain VIP clients and close decisive corporate deals.
- **Unique Special Celebration:** The perfect label for celebrating once-in-a-lifetime moments: significant anniversaries, golden retirements, weddings, or milestone birthdays where uncorking a liquid legend is required.
- **Gift of Absolute Distinction:** A gift that cannot fail for wine collectors, sommeliers, or gourmets who appreciate the complexity and historical value of a wine with over a decade of impeccable evolution.
- **Premium Barbecue:** To bring to an exclusive gathering of barbecue enthusiasts, accompanying select cuts like Wagyu or Tomahawk, where the wine will compete for prominence with the best meat.
- **Summer Evening Cellar Nights:** Enjoy this bottle in the cool evening on a terrace or private lounge, serving it at the ideal temperature to accompany a select tasting of fine cigars and chocolates after dinner.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
Is it strictly necessary to decant Roc Nu 2012 wine?
Yes, it is absolutely essential. As a 2012 vintage wine that has been stored in the bottle for a long time, it needs oxygen to awaken from its slumber. It is recommended to decant it gently for 45 to 60 minutes before consumption to separate any natural sediments and allow its complex layers of tobacco, cocoa, and candied fruit to fully unfold.
At what temperature should this Gran Reserva wine be served?
To correctly appreciate its silky tannic structure, its sumptuousness, and its aromatic richness without the alcohol dominating, it is advisable to serve it strictly between 16°C and 18°C (60°F and 64°F). Keeping it within this range guarantees a polished and impeccable tasting experience.
How much longer can this wine evolve in my private cellar?
Although Roc Nu 2012 is currently at a sensational peak, its excellent natural acidity and balanced tannic structure give it the necessary strength to preserve extraordinarily for the next 5 to 8 years, gaining even more tertiary notes if kept under ideal temperature and humidity conditions.
What does Clos Pons' high-altitude stony soil contribute to the blend?
The limestone rock soil and the altitude of Les Garrigues allow the grapes to ripen with excellent natural acidity and freshness. This balances the robustness of Cabernet and the opulence of Syrah, imbuing the wine with a characteristic mineral salinity and a balsamic undertone that prevents it from feeling heavy on the palate.
