Téléchargements
Vintage 2021 was incontestably a thumb to the nose of the last “solar” vintages which we have seen recently in the Rhone Valley. Real 30 year flashback, typically reminiscent of more classical harvest dates in the Vindémiare calendar and phenolic maturity from the 90s..
Indeed, this vintage has given us, on all levels, a lot of emotions. Blame it on the particularly capricious weather conditions, sweet understatement!
Extreme frost episode from 7th to 9th April, with some temperatures nearing -10C, affected without exception almost all the French vineyards. Cataclysmic observations: the vine for more than 3 weeks was brain dead! Some vinegrowers thought they had l ost their ancestral heritage. Miraculously, nature took back control. But this was not without consequences. The vine stocks were deeply tilted, even unbalanced. The 2nd shoots were anarchic, the labour work extremely complicated.
Fortunately, the beneficial rains throughout the vegetative cycle, the moderate temperature in the summer and a beautiful late autumn enabled us to approach harvest season with serenity.
Like every year, nature decides for us. This is what makes this job beautiful and delicate. But undeniably, 2021 will remain forever the vintage of a great “vigneron” (vinegrower).
La Crau, Les Gardioles, Maupertuis, Coste Froide, Bois Dauphin
Ageing12 months in one old barrels. Then 12 months in foudre - Allier and Tronçais
Winemaking1/2 not destemmed
14°C
Decant 2 hours before tasting.
14,5%
BottlingWithout fining and very light filtration.
CépagesGrenache noir : 80 % Mourvèdre : 15 % Syrah : 5 %
More lifted notes of blue fruits, ground pepper, and violets emerge from the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes, a concentrated, layered, incredibly impressive 2021 that has good mid-palate depth, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It has the structure and depth to benefit from a year or three of bottle age and keep for 10-15 years.
Jeb Dunnuck
Jeb Dunnuck
, 93/100
, 2023-10-30
Subtle aromas of cherries, wild berries, cured meat, dried herbs and baking spices on the nose following through to a medium to full body with finely grained tannins. Textured and compact with creamy fruit at the center and a lift of herbs and spices towards the focused finish. Drink or hold.
James Suckling
James Suckling
, 92/100
, 2023-11-21
This stylish, modern version offers a seductive perfume of violet and red fruit, with supple plum and steeped raspberry notes layered with warm spices, black licorice, toast and charred alder. The lushness is held in check with fine-grained tannins and notes of graphite. Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah
Wine Spectator
, 93/100
, 2024-02-29