Chateau de Vaudieu Chateauneuf-du-Pape Amiral G 2019
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Jeb
Dunnuck -
Wine
Spectator -
Robert
Parker
Product Details
Winemaker Notes
This cuvée in tribute to the founder of Château de Vaudieu. Chateau de Vaudieu Chateauneuf-du-Pape Amiral G shows both the finesse and the power of the Grenache. On the nose, it has notes of Provence herbs and cherry jam, while the mouth balances between a powerful fruit and a minerality characteristic of the soil.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Also all Grenache, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Amiral G. is another heavenly wine, and as with most vintages of this cuvee, it’s going to flirt with perfection. Deep ruby-hued with an awesome bouquet of mulled raspberries, kirsch, toasted spices, white flowers, and a kiss of peppery garrigue, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless, layered texture, ripe tannins, and a great finish. This is a seriously sexy, impressive Grenache to enjoy over the coming 15-20 years. Range: 96-99
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Wine Spectator
Lush and inviting, with a caressing feel to the waves of cassis, cherry pâte de fruit and raspberry reduction backed by lingering anise and sweet tobacco notes on the long finish, which echoes with fruit.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
As always, super ripe, opulent Grenache gives the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Amiral G an air of decadent richness. Scents of dark chocolate, espresso and barrel char accent notes of blackberries and cassis on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is concentrated and rich, even velvety, the flavors and texture showing great intensity and length on the finish. Like the other 2019s at this estate, it could use a little time in bottle to soften the tannins, and then it should drink well for more than a decade. Best after 2023
Other Vintages
2017-
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
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Jeb
Dunnuck -
Wine
Spectator -
Robert
Parker - Decanter
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Jeb
Dunnuck -
Wine
Spectator -
Robert
Parker
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Robert
Parker
Located about a five minute drive outside the village of Chateauneuf-du-Pape along the road which leads to Courthezon you will find Chateau de Vaudieu. It is one of three 18th century Chateaux located in the appellation, tucked into a small valley surrounded by hills and plateau. It is at the intersection of several major terroirs: sandy soils to the north, along a border it shares with Chateau Rayas (one of the best wines in Chateauneuf-du-Pape but not actually a Chateau), pale limestone and clays centered around a forested hillock, and two large plateaux of the somewhat overexposed galets. In total there are 70 hectares within one contiguous estate – something very rare in the appellation.
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.