Alcohol: 14%
Grape(s): Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre
Localization: Chateauneuf Du Pape, Rhone, France
Tasting Notes: Complex and subtle, blackcurrant and plum followed by roasted coffee and cinnamon, cherry, morello cherry. Palate: opening into spicy (liquorice) and fruity aromas
Notes: The Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation produces wines that are blends of different grape varieties. Therefore, vinification depends on the component grapes and their varietals. Traditional vinification is carried out in closed concrete tanks. The vatting period usually lasts for around 3 weeks, at high temperature to ensure the maximum extraction of colour and tannins.
The Domain: Famous for its full-bodied, seductive, and spicy reds with flavor and aroma characteristics reminiscent of black cherry, baked raspberry, garrigue, olive tapenade, lavender, and baking spice, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the leading sub-appellation of the southern Rhône River Valley. Large pebbles resembling river rocks, called "galets" in French, dominate most of the terrain. The stones hold heat and reflect it up to the low-lying goblet-trained vines. Though the galets are typical, they are not prominent in every vineyard. Chateau Rayas is the most obvious deviation with very sandy soil.
According to law, eighteen grape varieties are allowed in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and most wines are blends of some mix of these. For reds, Grenache is the star player with Mourvedre and Syrah coming typically second. Others used include Cinsault, Counoise and occasionally Muscardin, Vaccarèse, Picquepoul Noir and Terret Noir.
Only about 6-7% of wine from Châteauneuf-du-Pape is white wine. Blends and single-varietal bottlings are typically based on the soft and floral Grenache Blanc but Clairette, Bourboulenc, and Roussanne are grown with some significance.
The wine of Chateauneuf-du-Pape takes its name from the relocation of the papal court to Avignon. The lore says that after moving in 1309, Pope Clément V (after whom Chateau Pape-Clément in Pessac-Léognan is named) ordered that vines be planted. But it was his successor, John XXII, who established the vineyards. The name however, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, translated as "the pope's new castle," didn’t stick until the 19th century.
