2010 Chateauneuf du Pape

Some savour and rigour. Interest too. (JR)

Youthful purple. Spice-accented aromas of black raspberry and boysenberry, with a suave floral quality building with air. Sappy and seamless on the palate, offering sweet dark fruit flavors and a suggestion of licorice. Finishes on an intense note of Asian spices, with lingering sweetness and gentle tannins adding grip.

The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape’s Grenache component explodes from the glass with intense scents of jammy strawberries, sweet black cherries, raspberries, dusty, loamy, sandstone-like notes and hints of garrigue and licorice. Loads of fruit, full-bodied lusciousness and a viscous texture make for a sumptuous Chateauneuf du Pape to drink over the next 12-14 years. This large estate owned by the Brechet family has resurrected this real chateau, one of the few in Chateauneuf du Pape, to the top rank of estates in the village. The Brechet family has also done some remarkable work in Gigondas. Their consultant, Philippe Cambie, also deserves a lot of credit. The regular Chateauneuf du Pape is a blend of 80% Grenache and the rest mostly Syrah and some Mourvedre. The Grenache is aged in tank and the other two varietals spend time in new 600-liter demi-muids. The Val de Dieu cuvee is composed of 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 15% Mourvedre that is given the same treatment as the regular offering. The estate’s newest effort, the Chateauneuf du Pape Amiral G, is 100% Grenache from some of the oldest vines. Chateau de Vaudieu is located east of the village of Chateauneuf du Pape, about one-half mile south of Chateau Rayas. With over 175 acres of vines, this property could be one of the most dominant forces in Chateauneuf du Pape, and it is very encouraging to see what they have accomplished over recent years. Most of their parcels are planted in sand-based soils, but some are also planted in limestone covered with the small boulders called galets roules. This is another organically farmed vineyard, and by the time this report is published, it may be certified as biodynamic as over three dozen of Philippe Cambie’s clients now are. The 2010s are major successes, even for this spectacular vintage. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC: tel. (704) 358-1565