Winemaker Notes
Purchased by Aimé and Isabel Sabon in 2013, Clos Saint Antonin is a suitable name as the farmhouse and its surrounding vineyards are contiguous and partially enclosed – something rather rare in the Southern Rhône where diverse and scattered parcels are the norm. The one exception is a few hectares of Grenache planted on sand in Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the lieux-dits of La Fond du Loup and La Crau which we added to the estate from her family’s holdings at Domaine de la Janasse. Partially destemmed (90%) and fermented by natural yeasts, this wine is aged in demi-muid and foudre from 12 months before release.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
This is really alive, with a burst of kirsch, plum and blackberry notes leading off, followed by waves of black tea, melted black licorice and warm fruitcake. Long and lush through the finish, but maintains detail and energy. Best from 2021 through 2034. 200 cases imported.
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Decanter
A very stylish Châteauneuf - pure, almost aerial black cherry fruit with raspberry and raspberry leaf. A smooth and silky style with a lovely finesse to the tannins, the acidity is a little tart but it works. All in good harmony. I would drink young, but should age into the medium term. The alcohol is high, but it doesn't feel overly imbalanced. From 60-year-old vines owned by the Sabon family of Domaine de la Janasse.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Coming from cooler, sandy soils and all Grenache, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape reveals a medium ruby/purple hue to go with perfumed notes of kirsch liqueur, wild strawberries, flowery incense, and orange blossom. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, it has a seamless texture, ripe, silky tannins, and a great finish. It’s not a blockbuster, but it just glides over the palate with no sensation of weight or heaviness and has beautiful length on the finish. Enjoy this elegant, nuanced 2018 Châteauneuf du Pape any time over the coming decade.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
All Grenache from the lieux-dits of la Crau and Font du Loup, the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape is relatively light in color, but don't mistake that for being light or wimpy. Black cherries, red raspberries and hints of plum combine on the nose with hints of garrigue and licorice, while the full-bodied palate is silky and elegant despite being labeled at 15.5% alcohol. There's ample length and no perceptible heat on the finish, but I'd still opt to enjoy it over its first 6-8 years or so.
Grenache thrives in any warm, Mediterranean climate where ample sunlight allows its clusters to achieve full phenolic ripeness. While Grenache's birthplace is Spain (there called Garnacha), today it is more recognized as the key player in the red blends of the Southern Rhône, namely Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and its villages. Somm Secret—The Italian island of Sardinia produces bold, rustic, single varietal Grenache (there called Cannonau). California, Washington and Australia have achieved found success with Grenache, both flying solo and in blends.
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.