Winemaker Notes
Aromas of red and black fruits, highly spiced with cocoa nibs, peppers, cedar box. Ripe, with wild strawberry, blackberry; wild herbs such as thyme and rosemary appear on the fresh finish.
Pair with grilled steak with pepper; game meats; roast lamb leg with tomatoes; and truffled dishes.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Crafted from vines rooted in sandy soils, the 2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Réserve is a compelling marriage of elegance and power. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of cherries, wild berries, peonies, crushed strawberries and exotic spices, it is medium- to full-bodied, round and juicy, with an enveloping core of fruit, velvety tannins and a long, lively and delicate finish. A blend of 60% Grenache Noir and 40% Mourvèdre, matured for 14 months in a mix of used barrels (40%) and large foudres, this is not the most extroverted wine in the range, but it is undoubtedly one destined for the cellar.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Black cherries, black raspberries, leather, savory flowers, subtle pepper, and some mineral-like nuances define the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Réserve, which is based on 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre from sandy Safre soils in the la Guigasse and Pignan lieu-dits, fully destemmed and aged 14 months in 60% demi-muids and 40% neutral barrels. It's medium to full-bodied, has a pure, layered mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. It's technically just about perfect, yet I think this cuvée today can lack a touch of character, especially when compared to the Les Quartz cuvée. Nevertheless, with roughly 600 cases produced, it's clearly a beautiful, elegant wine that will evolve nicely for 15+ years. Drink 2025-2040.
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Vinous
The 2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Réserve doesn’t reveal much on the nose, offering only shy red fruits, dried herbs and black cherry nuances. On the palate, however, it comes alive, with full-bodied richness, velvety tannins and impressive energy and intensity. Bright acidity provides a refreshing lift that carries through to the elegant finish. The 2023 says, “Watch me.”
Barrel Sample: 93-95 -
Wine Spectator
A decadent, opulent style that features a refreshing jolt of herbs and dried garrigue, with graphite lift for balance. Red currant and fleshy cherry are layered with dried garrigue and ginger snap. Shows pleasing meatiness on the focused finish, stitched up with stylish, polished tannins. There’s a lot to love. Grenache and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2040.
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Decanter
This is fairly pale in colour, considering the 40% Mourvèdre. It’s attractively fresh and clear, but lacks concentration. Medium-bodied, with very fine tannin and some brightness and energy, but it's a relatively petite vintage of this cuvée. Grown on the sandy soils of lieux-dits Pignan and Guigasse.
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James Suckling
A refined, poised and attractive red with aromas of sweet cherries, strawberries, roasted meat, dried thyme and some dried flowers. It’s medium- to full-bodied with finely grained tannins. A juicy and charming texture on the palate, with a delicious character bringing pulpy fruit and orange undertones. Bright finish. Drink or hold.
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.