Winemaker Notes
The wines from this plot find their expression in a balance between spicy aromas, body and texture.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
From a site in the southern sector of the appellation, with more clay content in the soil and some galets roulés as well, the 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape Le Pied de Baud is 80% Grenache and 10% each Cinsault and Mourvèdre. It comes across as being fleshier and more powerful than the other Santa Duc Chateauneufs, with raspberry and cherry fruit on the nose and a supple, velvety feel on the medium to full-bodied palate.
Barrel Sample: 93-95 -
Vinous
Le Pied de Baud is the brightest star among Domaine Santa Duc's 2021 Châteauneuf portfolio. The 80% Grenache, 10% Mourve`dre and 10% Counoise are from the same name lieu-dit to the north of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and are all vinified in one co-fermentation. Aging occurs for 18 months in a combination of Austrian oak foudres and terracotta amphorae. The result is a structured red that bursts with blood orange, forest strawberry, raspberry and garrigue notes. Iodine and fresh mint add further complexity. Full-bodied and expressive, this 2021 red brings it home with outstanding persistence.
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Wine Spectator
A high-toned red, with appealing spicy depth and range to the fresh red fruit flavors. Offers red tea, incense smoke and green herb notes that chime in on the well-knit, approachable frame, with all the harsh edges expertly honed. Delivers supple tannins, with nice purity throughout. Grenache, Mourvèdre 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.