Winemaker Notes
100% Grenache from lieu-dit Pignan. Aged in demi-muids.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
From 35-year-old Grenache in Pignan, vinified as whole clusters and then aged 24 months in older demi-muids, this is a floral, ethereal expression of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, marked by scents of roses, lavender, strawberry compote and hints of pine resin. Medium to full-bodied, it's silky-textured, sappy, slightly green-tinged, refreshing and long on the finish. Barrel Sample : (93-95)
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Jeb Dunnuck
None of the Chapelle Saint Théodoric releases have been bottled. The 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Grand Pin (100% Grenache) is medium ruby-hued and offers a complex, nuanced bouquet of mulled red and black fruits, cured meats, spring flowers, and ground pepper. With an almost Northern Rhône-like gamey wildness, I love its complexity, and this medium-bodied, elegant, seamless 2021 has ripe tannins and outstanding length. Barrel Sample:(91-93)
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Wine Spectator
A juicy burst of ripe, fresh cherry and crunchy red currant notes is anchored by bolts of smoldering iron and meatiness in this extroverted version. Shows good depth, concentration and length on the silky palate, with accents of salty earth, dried flowers, grilled cedar and sweet oak spice echoing on the svelte finish. Drink now through 2032. 130 cases imported.
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.