Domaine des Senechaux
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Drink now,
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). 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)
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)
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For laying down,
Usual suspects Grenache (58 percent), Syrah (22 percent) and Mourvèdre (18 percent) are joined by a mysterious two percent (Counoise maybe?). The constituents are aged for 14 months in varying containers, including a proportion in barrique. Tell-tale Sénéchaux notes of wild strawberry, liquorice root and damson are bolstered by a velvety mid-palate concentration and a fine, gently mentholated finish. This is certainly one of the best Sénéchaux yet. Drink 2019-2025.
Simon Field MW - Wine Buyer
Domaine des Sénéchaux is one of the oldest domaines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape with a history dating back to the 14th century. 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 work to rejuvenate the estate was 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 Ch. Lynch Bages. Under their stewardship, the vineyards have been restored to their former glory and the winemaking facilities have been fully modernised.
Simon Field MW - Wine Buyer
Domaine des Sénéchaux is one of the oldest domaines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape with a history dating back to the 14th century. 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 work to rejuvenate the estate was 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 Ch. Lynch Bages. Under their stewardship, the vineyards have been restored to their former glory and the winemaking facilities have been fully modernised.
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Bottle 6 x 75cl3cs
£126.00
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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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Drink now,
Honours are shared here between Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Clairette, with 7% Bourboulenc added for aromatic impact. The Roussanne is barrel fermented and allowed to rest for four months on its lees; the result is a template of modern Chteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc ; a genuinely interesting wine, with notes of pineapple, vanillin and pear, tempered by spice, firm acidity and a balanced satisfying sensation en bouche.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer, January 2011) The Roussanne component of this blend is barrel fermented and allowed to rest for four months on its lees, resulting in a template of modern white Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This is a fascinating wine with notes of pineapple, vanillin and pear tempered by spice, firm acidity and a balanced satisfying mouthfeel.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer, January 2011) The Roussanne component of this blend is barrel fermented and allowed to rest for four months on its lees, resulting in a template of modern white Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This is a fascinating wine with notes of pineapple, vanillin and pear tempered by spice, firm acidity and a balanced satisfying mouthfeel.
New To BBX
Bottle 12 x 75cl1cs
£160.00
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New To BBX
Bottle 12 x 75cl1cs
£350.00
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Showing 1-5 out of 5 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.