Chateauneuf-du-Pape (“CdP”) is a wide area in the Southern Rhône region of France and contains varying styles and qualities. The region was home to seven popes in the 1300s.
The reasons for the relocation of the popes away from Rome is beyond the scope of this site. However, the wines from CdP drew the favor of the relocated pontiffs and when a pope is your major patron you would do well to attach yourself to that – hence the “Pape” in the name.
These wines are all a blend of a few different grapes, but are most commonly made from Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. All of these are generally heat loving varieties and they fit in on the slopes of southern France. It is common to find some black fruit, baked or stewed fruit (due to the heat) and herbs in the aromas and palate.
Great Wines
This family owned wine estate has only about 30 acres in production. Located in the northern section of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape region, this winery has been passed down since the 14th century and some of the vines are over a hundred years old. While their wine consists of 13 grape varieties, the main grapes are Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault.
The Julien Barrot series captures the true terroir and style of the estate. Only organic practices are used in this wine and the respect for the vines and the grapes shines through to the bottle.
This deep ruby wine with aromas of roses, herbs, garrigue, ripe cherries, baked blackberries, and red licorice is a wonderful wine that reveals itself over time.
The high tannins are like a fine sandpaper but it is masked by the fuller body of this wine. The palate show more black fruit and garrigue by also some chocolate on the end.
- Vintage: 2018
- Varietal: GSM
- Appellation: Chateauneuf-du-Pape
- Great for:
Ribeye, Ratatouille
Run by 2 brothers on an 80 acre estate, this winery prides itself on sustainable farming. Wine has been bottled at this estate since 1910 by the family and they are very well known throughout the appellation.
Their red blend of Grenach, Syrah, and Mourvèdre is fermented in concrete vessels with a long cycle of over a month.
To further respect the purity of what comes from the land, this wine is not filtered prior to bottling.
This wine poured a nice red ruby color with smells of strawberries, cranberries, garrigue, herbs, and ripe black cherries. The tannins and acidity are in balance with this higher alcohol wine.
As expected, the palate was like drinking a fresh baked berry pie. There were lots of baked fruits, jamminess, flint, graphite, blackcurrant and figs to taste. This is a concentrated wine with big flavors.
Close your eyes and you can transport yourself to sunny southern France with this one.
- Vintage: 2017
- Varietal: GSM
- Appellation: Chateauneuf-du-Pape
- Great for:
Lamb chops, Beef ribs
The family has been in the wine business since the 1800s. After all that time, they might have learned a thing or two and WOW they did! Note operating on a scant 25 acres of vines, this estate crafts some of the most amazing Chateauneuf du Pape wines in the region.
The grapes are picked later in the harvest season, which means they have had time to fully intensify and show off amazing flavors.
The wine is a beautiful medium ruby in the glass and after a couple hours of decanting was still pouring out aromas of blackberry pie, black cherry, and vegetal tomato leaf.
The palate was restrained and the supple gentle tannins were like a fine Burgundy instead of a bold wine from the southern Rhône. The flavors were an outstanding combination of dark black fruits, mint, garrigue, and even strawberries.
- Vintage: 2019
- Varietal: GSM
- Appellation: Chateauneuf-du-Pape
- Great for:
Andouille sausage, Herb roasted chicken
