TRADE ACCESS

Chante Cigale

Alexandre Favier began his viticultural studies in Orange at the age of fifteen and passed the exams four years later in 2001.  In 2002 (at age twenty!) he took over winemaking duties at the domaine when his father experienced health problems.  Like many family domaines with deep roots in Chateauneuf du Pape; (Alexandre’s grandfather Noel Sabon is from one of the best known winemaking families in the region) the young Alexandre was by his own account, “raised in the vineyards”.   

This is a traditional house with 40ha of red and 5ha of white.  Only native yeasts are employed and the reds are partly de-stemmed but not entirely.  They have parcels in all of the main soil types of Chateauneuf and they vinify the top parcels separately.  The red is a blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and 5% Cinsault. The white is equal parts Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Roussanne and Bourbelenc.

 

www.chantecigale.com

 

chante cigale
NEXT BACK
Chante Cigale

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2007

70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre. The only difference between the Vieilles Vignes cuvee and the Chateauneuf-du-Pape Tradition cuvee is the age of the vines. Otherwise the wines are made in the same exact way - 70% in tank (stainless steel and cement) and 30% in used barrels.

Reviews
The compelling 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes (78% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Mourvedre) is made from 60- to 120-year-old vines. Its dense plum/purple hue is followed by knock-out aromas of incense, crushed pepper, cedar, black currant jam, licorice, and sweet cherries. Voluptuously textured, opulent, and round with well-formed, moderately high tannins that are nearly covered by the wine’s fruit and glycerin, it will easily last 15-20 years in a cold, damp cellar. I wish I saw more of these wines in the marketplace as I have been a big fan of this estate since I first tasted their 1978s. None of the 2008s were presented for tasting, but the young Alexander Favier appears to be doing everything right. I did not see Chante Cigale’s 100-case cuvee of 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes Extrait from bottle (I rated it (92-95) last year), but it probably turned out spectacularly (of course there is virtually none of it). The two bottled 2007s I tasted were both outstanding.
Robert Parker,Wine Advocate # 185, ?Oct 2009

Review Score: 95


Country: France
Region: Southern Rhône
Producer: Chante Cigale
Farming Type Sustainable/Culture Raisonee
Product Code
Varietal Grenache

PRINT PAGE