Winemaker Notes
Blend: 85% Grenache Noir, 15% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
Mixing 85% Grenache with 15% Syrah, the 2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape initiates with fragrant violets, raspberry compote and licorice. Swathed in well-rounded tannins, the full-bodied and inviting 2023 is a juicy and sexy red that finishes with a spoonful of strawberry jam on the expressive ending.
Range: 91-93 -
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
More perfumed and vibrant than the 2022, the 2023 Chateauneuf du Pape is showing beautifully today, wafting from the glass with aromas of rose petals, dark cherries and subtle smoke. Medium- to full-bodied, enveloping and sappy, it’s elegantly layered, with a fleshy, sweet core of fruit framed by velvety tannins, concluding with a long, ethereal and floral-inflected finish. A blend of 85% Grenache Noir and 15% Syrah, all sourced from sandy soils, this is a precise and refined expression of the vintage, marked by its charm and lift.
Rating: 92+ -
Jeb Dunnuck
Loaded with upfront sweet berry fruits, Provençal herbs, spice, and exotic flower nuances, the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape is based on 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah and aged 18 months in 85% concrete and 15% foudre. It's medium-bodied, pure, and balanced, with a round, mouth-filling mouthfeel and a good finish. This pleasure bomb is best enjoyed over the coming 7-8 years. Drink 2025-2033.
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.