2001 and 2003 Châteauneuf-du-Pape - March 19, 2025

The name derives from the 14th Century when the "French Popes" relocated the papacy to Avignon in 1309. Pope Clement V was the first of the "anti-popes" and had previously planted vines in Bordeau (Château Pape-Clément). Pope John XXII built the Château on the hill overlooking the Rhône valley, the village and the vineyards surrounding it. However, vines had been planted long before that, possibly by the Romans. The French Appellation system had its roots here, having been started by Baron le Roy (Château Fortia) in 1923 to ensure the quality of Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines, and by 1936 this was France's first official appellation.

There are 13 allowed variety. The eight red varieties are Grenance, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Counoise, Muscardin, Terret Noir and Vaccarèse. Five white varieties are permitted- Grenache blanc, Roussane, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Picpoul and Picardin. For some producers, it is a point of honor to plant all varietals. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a small appallation (7,746 acres in vines) with over 300 growers. Almost 30% of these are certified organic by the European Union. Most wines are Grenance-based, which constitutes 75% of the vines. Grenache shapes the aromatics, textures, with flavors of blackberry, raspberry, pepper and spice. Mourvèdre adds color, complexity and structure, and adds resistance to oxidation. Syrah adds color and ripe black fruit flavors as well as complexity.

Many of the best vineyards, especially in the north and northwest of the appallation, are covered by large, smooth stones (galets roules). Towards the south of the village, there are fewer stones with gravel and decomposed rock mised with clay and sand. The climate is sunny (>2,700 hours per year), hot and relatively dry (about 700 mm per year). This is tempered by the mistral, a cold dry wind blowing off the Alps for about 100-150 days out of the year.

Starter

2019 Château La Nerthe, Blanc

Red

2001 Château de Beaucastel
2001 Domaine de la Janasse, Cuvée Chaupin
2001 Tardieu-Laurent, Cuvée Spéciale
2001 Domaine de Beaurenard, Cuvée Boisrenard
2001 Domaine Bois de Boursan, "Cuvée des Felix"
2001 Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils, Cuvée Classique
2003 Domaine La Millière, "Vieilles Vignes"
2003 Tardieu-Laurent, Cuvée Spéciale
2003 Tardieu-Laurent, "Vieilles Vignes"
2003 Domaine de Cristia, Cuvée Renaissance
2003 Domaine de la Janasse, Cuvée Chaupin
2003 Domaine Pierre Usseglio, "Cuvée de Mon Aïeul"
2003 Domaine-du-Pegau, Cuvée Réservée

Dessert

2010 Château Guiraud, Petit Guiraud

Images of Sampled Wines:

Page last updated: March 30, 2025 (EB)

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