Winemaker Notes
Chateau Mont-Redon occupies one of the most exceptional vineyards areas of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation, with a spectrum of soils unique in the region. The thirteen Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation varieties reach perfect ripeness and concentration on its high, stony plateau, yielding a wine great depth and longevity, with an adapted aging in oak barrels, during 10 to 12 months. The spicy, fragrant red fruit bouquet, intense, plummy flavors and firm tannic structure end in a long, balanced finish.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
A massive, brooding red, this shows the burly side of Châteauneuf, with grippy tannins surrounding a well of black fruit and licorice flavors. Packs a pleasing kick of menthol and wet stone accents, which bring freshness through the long, nicely chewy finish. Delivers good energy and focus, with hints of bitter cherry. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Counoise, Muscardin, Vaccarèse and Cinsault.
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.