Winemaker Notes
Intense red. Aromas of black fruits, blackberry jam. Palate is unctuous, ample with warm tannins.
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Croix de Bois comes from a site on the eastern side of the appellation and, like its bigger brother, is 100% destemmed Grenache that saw 21 months in concrete tanks. Blueberries, crème de cassis, crushed rocks, licorice, and pepper notes all emerge from this deep, powerful, surprisingly structured example of this cuvée. It has tons of fat and richness, but give bottles a few years.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Not yet bottled, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Croix de Bois looks to be the star of Chapoutier's Southern Rhône collection. Cracked pepper, licorice and black raspberry notes sing loudly in this full-bodied, supple, creamy-textured beauty. There's a hint of warmth on the lingering, mouthwatering finish, which may limit its ageability, but this is so sexy and lush now, who could resist?
Range: 95-97 -
Wine Spectator
Rich and alluring, with waves of steeped plum, blackberry and black cherry fruit rolling through, infused with Lapsang souchong tea, licorice root, sweet tobacco and fresh humus notes. Subtle incense and spice hints add detail on the finish, while the fruit gives a strong kick at the end. Best from 2021 through 2038. 42 cases imported.
-
James Suckling
This is bathed in sweet, ripe and fresh raspberries and blueberries with a plush, long and bright palate. The tannins are really superb here. From organically grown grapes.
Barrel Sample: 93-94
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.