Domaine des Senechaux
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Domaine des Senechaux,
Ready, but will keep,
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.
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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Domaine des Senechaux,
Drink now,
Despite this, and maybe, paradoxically, because of it, the wine has improved virtually beyond recognition.The rich core of sweet fruit remains, but is now more concentrated and much more focused. The tannins are wonderfully woven, the aromatics infused with notes of chocolate and garrigue; the palate is profoundly satisfying. All in all very Châteauneuf Du Pape, but now from the top drawer; the Bordelais savoir faire subtly but memorably infused. The eponymous old men who adorn the label will have very good reasons to be pleased!
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)Domaine des Sénéchaux is currently the most exciting property in Châteaunuef du Pape. The reason? It has been purchased by Jean Michel Cazes of Lynch Bages fame in Bordeaux. Jean Michel and his son Jean Charles have recognised the outstanding quality of the terroir, with its trademark pudding stones and decorative old vines, and have adopted the clever strategy of consultation to ensure that the essence and personality of the wine is not fundamentally changed. As a result the wine is made in a similar way and its make up remains as before (65% Grenache, 15 % each of Syrah and Mourvèdre and a hint of both Cinsault and Counoise).
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)Domaine des Sénéchaux is currently the most exciting property in Châteaunuef du Pape. The reason? It has been purchased by Jean Michel Cazes of Lynch Bages fame in Bordeaux. Jean Michel and his son Jean Charles have recognised the outstanding quality of the terroir, with its trademark pudding stones and decorative old vines, and have adopted the clever strategy of consultation to ensure that the essence and personality of the wine is not fundamentally changed. As a result the wine is made in a similar way and its make up remains as before (65% Grenache, 15 % each of Syrah and Mourvèdre and a hint of both Cinsault and Counoise).
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
£275.00
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Domaine des Senechaux,
Ready, but will keep,
A significant contribution from Mourvèdre (its 20% matches the Syrah) adds savoury depth to the wine. Ripeness one always expects here, but over time it has progressed from a simple almost jammy style to something far more profound and more interesting. More Mourvèdre every year please!
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer
Domaine de Sénéchaux is made up of nearly 30 hectares, half of which are located on sandy soil soils near to Château Rayas, the other half in three lieux-dits a little further to the south, their soil made up of galets roulés and loam. The Lynch-Bages ownership has been discrete but telling, with a very district upwards trajectory over recent years in terms of quality. Winemaker Bernard Tranchecoste assesses the vintage as ‘less rich but rounder’ than 2011, whatever that may mean.
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer
Domaine de Sénéchaux is made up of nearly 30 hectares, half of which are located on sandy soil soils near to Château Rayas, the other half in three lieux-dits a little further to the south, their soil made up of galets roulés and loam. The Lynch-Bages ownership has been discrete but telling, with a very district upwards trajectory over recent years in terms of quality. Winemaker Bernard Tranchecoste assesses the vintage as ‘less rich but rounder’ than 2011, whatever that may mean.
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Domaine des Senechaux,
For laying down,
Sénéchaux’s red wine continues to grow in stature.
In 2016, for example, 20 percent of stems were
maintained in the vat, bolstering the structure
beyond the ripe cassis and blueberry that we have
come to love here. In addition, there is a really
impressive colour but no evidence of over-extraction,
itself a qualitative indicator where there is 60 percent
of Grenache in the blend. Peppery persuasion informs
the finish, which is finely etched and full of promise
for a long future. Drink 2019-2023.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer
In 2016, for example, 20 percent of stems were
maintained in the vat, bolstering the structure
beyond the ripe cassis and blueberry that we have
come to love here. In addition, there is a really
impressive colour but no evidence of over-extraction,
itself a qualitative indicator where there is 60 percent
of Grenache in the blend. Peppery persuasion informs
the finish, which is finely etched and full of promise
for a long future. Drink 2019-2023.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer
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Showing 1-4 out of 4 items
Domaine des Sénéchaux is one of the oldest domaines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape with a history dating back to the 14th century . The identity of the eponymous old men is something of a mystery; they look a little like Rodin's Burghers of Calais but are, in all likelihood, unrelated.
The estate covers 25 hectares in two excellent areas: 12 hectares near Château la Nerthe and 15 hectares in the Montalivet-Bois des Sénéchaux district, near Château Rayas. The good works to rejeuvenate the estate were initiated by entrepreneur Pascal Roux, but the serious qualitative impulse has, since 2006, been provided by Jean Michel Cazes and his son Jean Charles. The Cazes are, of course, even more famous for their ownership of the superlative Pauillac property Lynch Bages The vineyards have been restored to their former glory and the winemaking facilities have been fully modernised.
The imperative, advocated by the father and adhered to by the son, has been , very importantly, to make a classic Châteauneuf-Du-Pape and not to try and make a great Bordeaux wine in the heart of the Rhône Valley.
The red is a blend of 90% Grenache, 5% Syrah, 3% Mourvèdre and 2% other varietals. Fermentation is in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats and the wines are then matured in French oak barrels for 12- 15 months, some of which are new. The wines are bottled unfiltered.
The white wine only makes up 5% of production; the grapes being Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc and Roussanne, the last of which is fermented in barrique with stirring of the yeast. The white is beautifully perfumed and full of Southern charm.
Delicacy and finesse are the bywords here with the wines being accessible in youth although they tend to show at their best with 7-10 years of bottle ageing. Each year they get better.