2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Secrets de Pignan
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Tasting notes
All Grenache from the sandy soils of Pignan (nord) and matured in stainless steel, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Secrets de Pignan boasts enormous levels of purple raspberries, plums and apricots. Full-bodied, plush and creamy textured, it delivers waves of supple, rich, concentrated fruit, plus enough spicy-herbal complexity to keep things interesting. An unadulterated expression of ripe Grenache, it's even more compelling than the stellar 2015 version. 500 cases produced.
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Bright ruby. Mineral-driven black raspberry, boysenberry and spicecake aromas are complemented by hints of incense, licorice candy and pungent flowers. Seamless and impressively concentrated, offering seductively sweet, smoke-accented dark berry, cherry liqueur and lavender pastille flavors sharpened by a late kick of peppery spices. Rich yet energetic in style, finishing with excellent clarity and velvety tannins that sneak in late.
100% Grenache. Cask sample. Better red fruit definition than their Les Hespérides. Chunky, grainy tannin on the palate – this has a firmness that deserves bottle age. Decent persistence. (RH)
Coming from one of the Grand Cru sites in the appellation, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Secrets de Pignan is 100% Grenache (from vines planted in 1920) that was destemmed and brought up all in stainless steel. This full-bodied, opulent, yet elegant beauty offers classic notes of blueberries, violets, spring flowers and mint, as well as sweet tannin and a great finish. It’s another example of the incredible quality in this vintage. There are just 500 cases of this beauty, so don’t miss it. Located near Courthezon, La Bastide Saint Dominque is run with incredible talent by Eric Bonnet. The 2015s are certainly impressive, and the 2016s are the finest wines I’ve tasted from the estate.