2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Domaine Font de Courtedune

2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Domaine Font de Courtedune

Product: 20168202835
 
2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Domaine Font de Courtedune

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Description

A standout in my blind tastings, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape comes from a domaine heretofore unreviewed by this publication. Fermented and aged solely in concrete vats, it's essentially Grenache (there's 1% of other varieties mixed in) from sandy sites in some prestigious lieux-dits: La Crau, Le Cristia, La Guigasse, Le Pointu and Saint Georges. Subtle hints of cinnamon, clove and leather accent cherry fruit in this full-bodied, expansive, velvety wine. It's mouth coating and long on the finish, picking up lingering notes of garrigue and dried spices. Based on this effort, the brother-sister team of Frdric and Caroline Charrier will be worthy of a second look when I'm next in the region.
Joe Czerwinski - 31/08/2018

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Critics reviews

Wine Advocate94/100
A standout in my blind tastings, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape comes from a domaine heretofore unreviewed by this publication. Fermented and aged solely in concrete vats, it's essentially Grenache (there's 1% of other varieties mixed in) from sandy sites in some prestigious lieux-dits: La Crau, Le Cristia, La Guigasse, Le Pointu and Saint Georges. Subtle hints of cinnamon, clove and leather accent cherry fruit in this full-bodied, expansive, velvety wine. It's mouth coating and long on the finish, picking up lingering notes of garrigue and dried spices. Based on this effort, the brother-sister team of Frdric and Caroline Charrier will be worthy of a second look when I'm next in the region.
Joe Czerwinski - 31/08/2018 Read more

About this WINE

Domaine Font du Courtedune

Domaine Font du Courtedune

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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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Grenache/Garnacha

Grenache/Garnacha

Grenache (Noir) is widely grown and comes in a variety of styles. Believed to originate in Spain, it was, in the late 20th century, the most widely planted black grape variety in the world. Today it hovers around seventh in the pecking order. It tends to produce very fruity, rich wines that can range quite widely in their level of tannin.

In many regions – most famously the Southern Rhône, where it complements Syrah and Mourvèdre, among other grapes – it adds backbone and colour to blends, but some of the most notable Châteauneuf du Pape producers (such as Château Rayas) make 100 percent Grenache wines. The grape is a component in many wines of the Languedoc (where you’ll also find its lighter-coloured forms, Grenache Gris and Blanc) and is responsible for much southern French rosé – taking the lead in most Provence styles.

Found all over Spain as Garnacha Tinta (spelt Garnaxa in Catalonia), the grape variety is increasingly detailed on wine labels there. Along with Tempranillo, it forms the majority of the blend for Rioja’s reds and has been adopted widely in Navarra, where it produces lighter styles of red and rosado (rosé). It can also be found operating under a pseudonym, Cannonau, in Sardinia.

 

Beyond Europe, Grenache is widely planted in California and Australia, largely thanks to its ability to operate in high temperatures and without much water. Particularly in the Barossa Valley, there are some extraordinary dry-farmed bush vines, some of which are centuries old and produce wines of startling intensity.

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