2011 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge, Domaine des Sénéchaux, Rhône

2011 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge, Domaine des Sénéchaux, Rhône

Product: 20118005957
 
2011 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge, Domaine des Sénéchaux, Rhône

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Description

Three distinctive soils, each with differing clay and sand content, make up the 22 hectares of vines. This 2011 is made up of 62% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 17% Mourvèdre and 1% shared between Vaccarèse and Cinsault. It was aged for a year, undergoing a complex regime which may be summarised as just under half barrel, just over half cask. A nose of leather, provence herbs and plum signals complexity of intent; underlined by the quality of the palate which is ripe and plush, toasty and rich. The wine is a great success.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer

Domaine des Sénéchaux continues to climb the village’s unwritten hierarchical ladder. The Cazes family (Ch. Lynch-Bages), who own the property, are generous both in their financial investment and in their lack of interference. Winemaker Bernard Tranchecoste has done them proud. 2011 was marked for him by the contrast between its early flowering and the slowing down of the hitherto precocious cycle with some tricky weather towards the end of July. Oidium was conquered finally and the harvest was brought in, in good volume, but over an extended period. The harvest was finished by the end of the first week of October.

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Critics reviews

Wine Advocate92/100
A resounding success in the vintage, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape is a knockout blend of 62% Grenache, 20% Syrah and the balance Mourvedre. Aged 50% in foudre, 35% in barrel and the rest in concrete, it offers up stunning notes of incense, lavender, roasted meats and bouquet garni to go with full-bodied richness and depth on the palate. Loaded with character and charm, its hard to resist and should continue to dish out loads of pleasure for another 6-7 years. Drink now-2020.
Jeb Dunnuck - 31/10/2013 Read more
Jancis Robinson MW16/20
Dark cherry red. Round and fruity. Thick and almost heavy. Cough-medicine sort of flavours and concentration. Dense. Notably thick and sweet. Just a bit exaggerated but some people will love it.
Jancis Robinson MW, jancisrobinson.com 28 Feb 2013 Read more
Robert Parker90-92/100
The 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape is composed of 64% Grenache, 19% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre and the rest Cinsault and Vaccarese largely aged in foudre with some small oak and tank influence. Typical of what this estate has been doing over recent vintages, it is a sexy red with all the Provencal typicity one could expect. Loads of garrigue, black cherries, strawberries, new saddle leather, Christmas fruitcake, licorice and lavender make this 2011 a real winner. The wine’s low acidity and plushness suggest it should be drunk over the next 7-8 years.

This nearly 65-acre estate is owned by the famous and much loved Bordeaux proprietor, Jean-Michel Cazes. To say that he and his family have done a terrific job improving the quality at this estate is an understatement as it has become one of the “go to” wines of the appellation since Cazes purchased the property in late 2006. Their vineyard holdings are located in several top terroirs, particularly Le Grand Pierre, Les Reves and Bois Senechaux.
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #204, Dec 2012
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About this WINE

Domaine des Senechaux

Domaine des Senechaux

Domaine des Sénéchaux is an excellent example of how a large concern – in this case the Cazes family of Château Lynch-Bages in Bordeaux – should manage its purchase by investing as and where necessary. They have done this without forsaking the historical essence of the domaine, personified by longstanding régisseur Bernard Tranchecoste. Domaine des Sénéchaux dates from the 14th century, making it one of the oldest wineries of the region. It spans 26 hectares across Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 23 of which are planted with red varieties, the remainder white. Their main holdings are on the south-westerly slopes of the Bois Sénéchaux, just to the east of the town of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Here, some of their Grenache vines are as old as 90 years old. Production remains very traditional, and they retain a simple two-wine offering. Largely, grapes are de-stalked and new oak is avoided in favour of concrete, foudres and second-use Bordeaux (Lynch Bages) barrels.

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Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The most celebrated village of the Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the birthplace of the now indispensable French Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée system – imperfect though it may be. Compared to the Northern Rhône, the vineyards here are relatively flat and often feature the iconic galet pebbles – the precise benefits of which are a source of much debate. Minimum alcohol levels required by the AOC are the highest in France, but at 12.5% it is well below the natural generosity of Grenache, which only achieves its full aromatic potential when it is fully ripe and laden with the resultant high sugars. Syrah and Mourvèdre contribute the other defining elements in the blend, adding pepper, savoury spice and structure to the decadent Grenache. There are a further 10 permitted red grape varieties which can be used to adjust the “seasoning”. Of the five white varieties permitted, it is Grenache Noir’s sibling – predictably perhaps – Grenache Blanc, which dominates, though Roussanne shows a great deal of promise when handled well, notably at Château de Beaucastel.

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Southern Rhône Blend

Southern Rhône Blend

The vast majority of wines from the Southern Rhône are blends. There are 5 main black varieties, although others are used and the most famous wine of the region, Châteauneuf du Pape, can be made from as many as 13 different varieties. Grenache is the most important grape in the southern Rhône - it contributes alcohol, warmth and gentle juicy fruit and is an ideal base wine in the blend. Plantings of Syrah in the southern Rhône have risen dramatically in the last decade and it is an increasingly important component in blends. It rarely attains the heights that it does in the North but adds colour, backbone, tannins and soft ripe fruit to the blend.

The much-maligned Carignan has been on the retreat recently but is still included in many blends - the best old vines can add colour, body and spicy fruits. Cinsault is also backtracking but, if yields are restricted, can produce moderately well-coloured wines adding pleasant-light fruit to red and rosé blends. Finally, Mourvèdre, a grape from Bandol on the Mediterranean coast, has recently become an increasingly significant component of Southern Rhône blends - it often struggles to ripen fully but can add acidity, ripe spicy berry fruits and hints of tobacco to blends.

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