Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Cuvée Renaissance”

2017
Cristia
France
Rhône

60% Grenache from 110-year-old vines in Cristia Haut lieu-dit and 40% Mourvedre from 55-year-old vines in the southeast part of the appellation. The vines grow in a sandy clay soil with eastern exposure. All aged in wood, 1/3 in new oak, 1/3 in one-year-old barrels, 1/3 in demi-muids. Destemmed.

95+ points
"The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Renaissance from Cristia is a beauty! A normal blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre that comes from old vines planted in sandy soils, it reveals a medium ruby/purple color as well as a pure, elegant bouquet of crème de cassis, jammy blackberries, candied violets, incense, and spiced meats. This ripe, powerful, concentrated, and full-bodied, Châteauneuf du Pape has awesome purity, silky tannins, and one hell of a great finish. So of the oak that was present when I tasted this from barrel has integrated nicely and this beauty can be drunk anytime over the coming 15 years."
Jeb Dunnuck
October 2020
92 points
"A 60-40 blend of Grenache (from 110-year-old vines) and Mourvèdre (from 55-year-old vines), aged in demi-muids and barriques, the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Renaissance shows more cedar and vanilla overtones than I personally prefer, with those elements riding over the top of delicate cherry and raspberry fruit and flattening out any garrigue and spice subtleties. Don't get me wrong—it's clearly a fine wine, and will clearly have many fans for its ample weight, velvety plushness and deliciously hedonistic style. I just wish it showed more vineyard-derived complexity instead of oak. Perhaps that will emerge with time."
Joe Czerwinski,
Wine Advocate
September 2020

SKU/Code: 
DB0500-17
Product Line: 
Wine
Red
Varietal: 
Grenache
Farming Type: 
Organic