Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes

2017
Cristia
France
Rhône

100% Grenache from Cristia Haut, a vineyard which faces east and north; the soils are a mix of sand and clay. The vines are 80-100 years old.  

100% destemmed; aged for 18 months in neutral demi-muids.

(93-95) points
"Brilliant violet. Sexy, spice- and mineral-accented aromas of ripe red berries and incense carry a suave floral topnote. Juicy, penetrating and concentrated yet lithe, displaying impressive power and lift to the raspberry liqueur, spicecake and lavender pastille flavors. Closes with resonating spiciness, silky, slow-building tannins and a strong echo of sappy red fruit. The marriage of depth and vivacity here is quite impressive."
Josh Raynolds,
Vinous
(93 - 95) points
"My favorite of the barrel samples was the 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes, which is 100% Grenache that was completely destemmed and aged in a mix of demi-muids, new barrels and older barrels. It offers awesome notes of plums, blackberries, blueberries, garrigue and roasted meats in a sexy, even flamboyant, full-bodied style that will be hard to resist in its youth. Again, there’s a touch of volatile acidity here, but it handles it well."
Jeb Dunnuck,
Wine Advocate
, October 2016

SKU/Code: 
DB0499-17
Product Line: 
Wine
Red
Varietal: 
Grenache