Winemaker Notes
A complex nose of plums and black cherries with a hint of cocoa and cloves. Full and well-balanced on the palate, showing extreme finesse and remarkable length.
Blend: 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A rich, fleshy and textural Chateauneuf with stacks of damson plum and a hint of dried date character. The expansive palate features an impressive tannin structure and plenty of savory depth, the creamy, yet dry finish completing the very satisfying picture. A cuvee of 50% grenache, 40% syrah and 10% mourvedre from vineyards on sandy soil.
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Wine Spectator
Luscious and ripe, with cherry coulis and blueberry underscored by smoked garrigue, violet and anise. Round and concentrated on the palate, this is gently framed by very fine-grained tannins. The licorice-laced finish shows nice mineral details. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. Drink now through 2032. 1,500 cases made, 600 cases imported.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
For the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Lavau tapped two growers, both in sandier, northern sectors of the appellation. Mixed red berries, garrigue and traces of leather and oak appear on the nose of this blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. It's full-bodied but soft, elegant and easy to drink, showing maybe just a touch of warmth on the finish.
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Vinous
A blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, the 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape spent one year in a combination of new oak barriques and stainless steel tanks. Flamboyant and forward, it bursts with aromas of cooked plummy fruits with a dash of cedar and licorice. Full- bodied, concentrated and framed by smooth tannins, it closes with a touch of heat on the sapid finish.
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.