Winemaker Notes
"A seductive wine that's rich and ripe, thick and delightful, filling the palate with sweet fruit that cascades in a symphony of subtle violet, plum and blackberry--all presented in a creamlike texture that sets off a song and dance of pleasure on the palate. Amazing."
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"The luxury cuvee of 1999 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee des Cadettes (a 1,000-case blend of 39% Grenache, 36% Syrah, and 25% Mourvedre, aged in small barrels, of which 50% are new) is a top-class wine offering an attractive, moderately intense nose of spice box, blackberries, vanilla, and minerals. Medium to full-bodied and layered, with superb ripeness and purity, a sweet attack, and moderate tannin in the finish, it is accessible, but will be even better in 2-3 years. It will keep for 15-18 years."
-The Wine Advocate
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
A seductive wine that's rich and ripe, thick and delightful, filling the palate with sweet fruit that cascades in a symphony of subtle violet, plum and blackberry--all presented in a creamlike texture that sets off a song and dance of pleasure on the palate. Amazing. Drink now through 2020.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 1999 (39% Grenache, 35% Syrah, and 26% Mourvedre, all aged in barrel) does not reveal the fat of the 2000 or 1998, but it is an elegant, well-delineated effort with copious vibrancy, freshness, and cedar, black cherry and cassis fruit. Medium to full-bodied with a moderately muscular personality, it will benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring, and keep for 15-18.
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.