Villeneuve Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2012
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Blend: 70% Grenache, 16% Mourvedre, 8% Syrah, 6% Other Varieties
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A core of pure kirsch and raspberry coulis flavors streams throughout, picking up hints of blood orange, incense, rooibos tea and shiso leaf along the way. Layered and long but remarkably silky, with the fruit glistening through the finish while a mouthwatering mineral edge runs underneath. Drink now through 2032.
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The estate was purchased by the du Roy de Blicquy and Wallut families in 1993. Since then they have completely refurbished the estate. A modern winery was built under-ground over three levels to allow all operations to be carried out by gravity feed to eliminate the use of pumps. Ageing of the Grenache takes place in large enamel lined cement tanks and the Syrah and Mouvedre components are aged in large casks.
Using bio-dynamic practices the old vines were nursed back to health and only a small percentage of the vineyard was re-planted , mostly to Syrah and Mourvedre. Yields are kept at a very low 24 to 28 hectoliters per hectare, and the percentage of wine matured in barrels never exceeds 20% of the total. These are stylish wines of intensity, depth and grace that possess natural balance and moderate alcohol levels with no undue heaviness or extract.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
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 back up to the low-lying gobelet-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 were planted. But it was actually his successor, John XXII, who established the vineyards. The name however, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, translated as "the pope's new castle," didn’t really stick until the 19th century.