Téléchargements
Paradoxical and perplexing… The 2025 vintage will have shaken more than one experienced vigneron However, qualified as “Great” by some, and, according to the tradition of the last vintages ending in “5”, its surprising heterogeneity more between Northern and Southern Rhone, imposed a certain caution.
The winter, mild and humid, enabled the soil to become saturated with water and the vines built up precious water reserves.
In the spring, the generous rainfalls alternated with sudden burst of heat The memories of 2018 and 2024 vintages lingered in everyone’s minds But the experience is present: the teachings of these two years allowed the winegrowers to rigorously contain the fungal pressure. Summer is therefore approached with serenity.
And yet…the season took a turn Two periods of heatwaves hit the Rhone: the first at the end of June, the second, even more relentless, early August - suggesting the worst.
The yields were dramatically impacted, the berries shrivelled, the alcohol levels soared, whilst the phenolic maturity were slow to follow. The doubt sets in…
By some stroke of luck, as it is all too often the case these days, Mother Nature gave us some reprieve. In early September, much needed rainfalls came to revive the vines, unblocking the phenolic maturities.
Only, winegrowners willing to wait, to sort, to give up more of their small harvest, succeeded in picking grapes of remarkable quality, particularly in the Southern Rhône.
Southern Rhône:
Ripe, but never rich.
September was punctuated by relatively generous rainfalls, allowing the grapes to slowly reach their phenolic maturity. Unfortunately, around the equinoxes, there was one rainfall too many For the vineyards located in the late-ripening areas, the sanitary balance became more precarious Forcing the vignerons to accelerate harvest and operate under the constraints of arbitrary choices.
But, rest assured, this does not remove the charming and undeniable character of this Vintage. The wines are balanced and juicy. Their drinkability and finesse seduce immediately.
La Crau, La Janasse, Bois Dauphin
Ageing10 months in one and two years barrels - Allier et Tronçais. Then 12 months in foudre Stockinger
Winemaking1/2 not destemmed
14°C
Decant 2 hours before tasting.
14,5%
BottlingWithout fining and very light filtration.
CépagesGrenache noir : 85 % Syrah : 15 %
Cut from the same cloth as the Galets d'Or yet darker, richer, and more concentrated, the Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is based on 80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre that was 50% destemmed and aged 24 months in foudre and used oak. Its deeper ruby hue is followed by a powerful bouquet of ripe black cherries, roasted garrigue, candied orange, pepper, and roasted meats. It's a rich, full-bodied 2023 that has a round, layered mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. It's very much in the more forward, ripe, expressive style of the vintage, yet this brings impressive mid-palate depth as well as overall concentration.
Jeb Dunnuck
, 96/100
, 2025-11-11
Seductive and perfumed, with a pronounced layer of crushed iron supporting juicy plum puree, melted licorice and grilled aniseed. Applewood smoke wafts through the full-bodied frame, held in check with firm red tea tannins.
Wine Spectator
, 93/100
, 2026-01-31
Generous and focused, with sweet cherries, ripe red berries and sweet baking spices on the nose, following through to a full body with ripe tannins. Flavors of fruit and sweet spices with a generous finish.
James Suckling
, 92/100
, 2026-01-19