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Southern Rhône

Châteauneuf du Pape

Châteauneuf-du-Pape literally translates to “The Pope’s new castle” and, indeed, the history of this appellation is firmly entwined with papal history. In 1308, Pope Clement V, former Archbishop of Bordeaux, relocated the papacy to the town of Avignon. Clement V and subsequent “Avignon Popes” were said to be great lovers of Burgundy wines and did much to promote it during the seventy-year duration of the Avignon Papacy.

At the time, wine-growing around the town of Avignon was anything but illustrious. While the Avignon Papacy did much to advance the reputation of Burgundy wines, they were also promoting viticulture of the surrounding area, more specifically the area 5–10 km (3–6 mi) north of Avignon close to the banks of the Rhône. Prior to the Avignon Papacy, viticulture of that area had been initiated and maintained by the Bishops of Avignon, largely for local consumption.

Clement V was succeeded by John XXII who, as well as Burgundy wine, regularly drank the wines from the vineyards to the north and did much to improve viticultural practices there. Under John XXII, the wines of this area came to be known as “Vin du Pape”, this term later to become Châteauneuf-du-Pape. John XXII is also responsible for erecting the famous castle which stands as a symbol for the appellation.

The Grape Varieties of Châteauneuf

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is traditionally cited as allowing thirteen grape varieties to be used, but the 2009 version of the AOC rules in fact list eighteen varieties, since blanc (white), rose (pink) and noir (black) versions of some grapes are now explicitly listed as separate varieties. Also in the previous version of the appellation rules, Grenache and Picpoul were associated with different pruning regulations in their noir and blanc versions, bringing the number of varieties previously mentioned from thirteen to fifteen.

Red varieties allowed are Cinsaut, Counoise, Grenache noir, Mourvèdre, Muscardin, Piquepoul noir, Syrah, Terret noir, and Vaccarèse (Brun Argenté). White and pink varieties are Bourboulenc, Clairette blanche, Clairette rose, Grenache blanc, Grenache gris, Picardan, Piquepoul blanc, Piquepoul gris, and Roussanne. (The varieties not specifically mentioned before 2009 are Clairette rose, Grenache gris and Piquepoul gris.)

Both red and white varieties are allowed in both red and white Châteauneuf-du-Pape. There are no restrictions as to the proportion of grape varieties to be used, and unlike the case with other appellations, the allowed grape varieties are not differentiated into principal varieties and accessory varieties.

Thus, it is theoretically possible to produce varietal Châteauneuf-du-Pape from any of the eighteen allowed varieties. In reality, most Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines are blends dominated by Grenache. Only one of every 16 bottles produced in the region is white wine.


Beaucastel


Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2019

Rhône Blend | Châteauneuf du Pape, France

"Powerful, mineral-accented cherry, blackberry, licorice and -garrigue- scents, along with a hint of candied flowers. Deep, penetrating and alluringly sweet, offering cherry liqueur, dark berry, lavender, exotic spice and cola flavors that are given spine by a core of juicy acidity. In a concentrated yet lively, fluid style. Finishes extremely long and precise, with building tannins and a powerful echo of spiciness and florality. (10/2021)" Josh Raynolds, Vinous
$278
$268ea in any 3+
$258ea in any 6+

Sabon


“Dark Ruby. Fresh cherry, dark berries, pungent flowers and hints of musky earth and garrigue on the fragrant nose. Pliant and expansive on the palate, offering juicy red and dark berry, candied violet and baking spice flavors and a hint of mocha that adds appealing sweetness. Finishes long and gently chewy, with well-knit tannins and lingering spiciness.” Josh Raynolds, Vinous 92 Points, WS 93  
$90
$86ea in any 3+
$82ea in any 6+
“Gorgeous blackberry and morello cherry fruits as well as roasted herbs and licorice emerge from the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Réserve, a rich, full-bodied, downright decadent 2019 with sweet tannins and a broad, expansive mouthfeel. It has plenty of up-front appeal with its fruit yet has a solid spine of tannins that are going to keep it drinking nicely for 15-20 years.”  Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points, JC 94  
$109
$104ea in any 3+
$99ea in any 6+

Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Cuvée Prestige’ 2019

Rhône Blend | Châteauneuf du Pape, France

“One of the top vintages for this cuvée, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Prestige features intense aromas of black cherries and purple raspberries, without the dark chocolate nuances that appear in the other 2019s at this address. It's full-bodied, dense and concentrated, big but also silky and fine, with a long, elegant finish. It's a Grenache-led assemblage of lots from the lieux-dits of les Brusquières and Cabrières. Technical director Didier Negron is refreshingly candid when speaking abou
$160
$153ea in any 3+
$146ea in any 6+

Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Le Secret des Sabon’ 2017

Rhône Blend | Châteauneuf du Pape, France

“On another level, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Secret Des Sabon is stacked and packed and ranks with the top 2-3 wines in this great vintage. A huge nose of blackcurrants, melted licorice, graphite, garrigue and pepper gives way to an uber-full-bodied, concentrated, massively endowed wine that has an insane level of opulence and decadent, sweet tannins, and a huge finish. This is a tour de force in wine that readers need to taste to believe. Given its wealth of fruit and texture, it’s a
$495
$480ea in any 3+
$465ea in any 6+

Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Le Secret des Sabon’ 2019

Rhône Blend | Châteauneuf du Pape, France

“The tiny production 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Secret Des Sabon is a field blend of mostly Grenache brought up all in wooden tronconique barrels. It's closest in style to the Prestige Cuvée yet brings another level of opulence and richness without losing any sense of elegance or class. Blackberries, peppery herbs, graphite, crushed violets, and a liquid rock-like minerality all define the nose, and it hits the palate with incredible depth of fruit, full-bodied richness, and ripe yet buildi
$502
$487ea in any 3+
$472ea in any 6+

Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Les Olivets’ 2017

Rhône Blend | Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf du Pape

“A straight-up fruit bomb, it has full-bodied richness, beautiful purity, and tons of charm. I'm impressed – Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to taste any 2018s from this estate but, unquestionably, their 2017s are some of the wines of the vintage. Now - 2029” Jeb Dunnuck  
$87
$83ea in any 3+
$79ea in any 6+

Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Réserve’ 2017

Rhône Blend | Châteauneuf du Pape, France

“The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Reserve is largely in the same ballpark [as the Prestige] and has terrific notes of blackberries, smoked earth, garrigue, and pepper. It’s based on 80% Grenache and 10% Syrah and Mourvèdre brought up in foudre and cuve tronconique tanks. More concentrated as well as focused, it's medium to full-bodied, has brilliant concentration, ripe, present tannins, and a great finish. It's another awesome wine from this estate.” Jeb Dunnuck  
$103
$98ea in any 3+
$93ea in any 6+

Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Cuvée Prestige’ 2017

Rhône Blend | Châteauneuf du Pape, France

“Including more Syrah, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Prestige is 70% Grenache 20% Mourvèdre, and the rest Mourvèdre and other permitted varieties. While it’s brought up mostly in foudre, it has 10% in demi-muids and 30% in cuve tronconique. With thrilling purity of fruit, notes of black raspberries, blackberries, ground pepper, garrigue, and a distinct sense of minerality, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, ripe, sweet tannins, a beautifully opulent texture, and a great fini
$150
$143ea in any 3+
$136ea in any 6+

Mordorée


From all accounts this is something special. Given the calibre of the rest of the wines in the line up I don't doubt it for a second! “The saturated purple-hued 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée De La Reine Des Bois is another brilliant wine from this estate. Made from 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, and 5% Syrah and Vaccarèse (as well as a few other varieties) brought up in 80% stainless steel and 20% old barrels, it offers an extraordinary bouquet of blackcurrants, chocolaty herbs, ground pepp
$162
$155ea in any 3+
$148ea in any 6+

The Liracs

Great refreshing red. Light on foot it packs plenty of flavour into a thirst-quenching drink. Great refreshing red. Light on foot it packs plenty of flavour into a thirst-quenching drink. Crunchy fruit and fine acid match red fruits a little spice and flowers. So easy to devour, perfect as the weather warms. 50% Grenache 50% Syrah. Made from 40 year old vines this is 100% tank fermented.
$48
$46ea in any 3+
$44ea in any 6+
F*@#ing excellent! Vibrant fresh, energetic, wonderful wine. Poised and balanced. There’s a seamless harmony about this wine that takes me to a happy place! F*@#ing excellent! Vibrant fresh, energetic, wonderful wine. Poised and balanced. Excellent tannins, dusty and of quality, layered. Lovely drive of fruit. Got this tricky dark, brooding undertone with energetic layer on top. Excellent complexity. There's a seamless harmony about this wine that takes me to a happy place! True to form for
$72
$69ea in any 3+
$66ea in any 6+

Pierre Usseglio's Grenache


Half aged in new and used barriques, 25 percent in new and used demi-muids and the rest in concrete tanks. Opaque ruby. A complex, expansive bouquet evokes ripe dark berries, candied flowers, vanilla and woodsmoke, and a suave Indian spice nuance builds in the glass. Broad and seamless in the mouth, offering deeply concentrated blackberry, cherry cola and violet pastille flavors and a sweetening mocha flourish. Closes extremely long and sappy; smooth, sneaky tannins shape the lush dark fruit.
$290
$280ea in any 3+
$270ea in any 6+

Filters & Sorting

Showing all 13 results

Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Les Olivets’ 2017

Rhône Blend | Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf du Pape

“A straight-up fruit bomb, it has full-bodied richness, beautiful purity, and tons of charm. I'm impressed – Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to taste any 2018s from this estate but, unquestionably, their 2017s are some of the wines of the vintage. Now - 2029” Jeb Dunnuck  
$87
$83ea in any 3+
$79ea in any 6+

Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Réserve’ 2017

Rhône Blend | Châteauneuf du Pape, France

“The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Reserve is largely in the same ballpark [as the Prestige] and has terrific notes of blackberries, smoked earth, garrigue, and pepper. It’s based on 80% Grenache and 10% Syrah and Mourvèdre brought up in foudre and cuve tronconique tanks. More concentrated as well as focused, it's medium to full-bodied, has brilliant concentration, ripe, present tannins, and a great finish. It's another awesome wine from this estate.” Jeb Dunnuck  
$103
$98ea in any 3+
$93ea in any 6+

Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Cuvée Prestige’ 2017

Rhône Blend | Châteauneuf du Pape, France

“Including more Syrah, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Prestige is 70% Grenache 20% Mourvèdre, and the rest Mourvèdre and other permitted varieties. While it’s brought up mostly in foudre, it has 10% in demi-muids and 30% in cuve tronconique. With thrilling purity of fruit, notes of black raspberries, blackberries, ground pepper, garrigue, and a distinct sense of minerality, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, ripe, sweet tannins, a beautifully opulent texture, and a great fini
$150
$143ea in any 3+
$136ea in any 6+

Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Cuvée Prestige’ 2019

Rhône Blend | Châteauneuf du Pape, France

“One of the top vintages for this cuvée, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Prestige features intense aromas of black cherries and purple raspberries, without the dark chocolate nuances that appear in the other 2019s at this address. It's full-bodied, dense and concentrated, big but also silky and fine, with a long, elegant finish. It's a Grenache-led assemblage of lots from the lieux-dits of les Brusquières and Cabrières. Technical director Didier Negron is refreshingly candid when speaking abou
$160
$153ea in any 3+
$146ea in any 6+
From all accounts this is something special. Given the calibre of the rest of the wines in the line up I don't doubt it for a second! “The saturated purple-hued 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée De La Reine Des Bois is another brilliant wine from this estate. Made from 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, and 5% Syrah and Vaccarèse (as well as a few other varieties) brought up in 80% stainless steel and 20% old barrels, it offers an extraordinary bouquet of blackcurrants, chocolaty herbs, ground pepp
$162
$155ea in any 3+
$148ea in any 6+

Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2019

Rhône Blend | Châteauneuf du Pape, France

"Powerful, mineral-accented cherry, blackberry, licorice and -garrigue- scents, along with a hint of candied flowers. Deep, penetrating and alluringly sweet, offering cherry liqueur, dark berry, lavender, exotic spice and cola flavors that are given spine by a core of juicy acidity. In a concentrated yet lively, fluid style. Finishes extremely long and precise, with building tannins and a powerful echo of spiciness and florality. (10/2021)" Josh Raynolds, Vinous
$278
$268ea in any 3+
$258ea in any 6+
Half aged in new and used barriques, 25 percent in new and used demi-muids and the rest in concrete tanks. Opaque ruby. A complex, expansive bouquet evokes ripe dark berries, candied flowers, vanilla and woodsmoke, and a suave Indian spice nuance builds in the glass. Broad and seamless in the mouth, offering deeply concentrated blackberry, cherry cola and violet pastille flavors and a sweetening mocha flourish. Closes extremely long and sappy; smooth, sneaky tannins shape the lush dark fruit.
$290
$280ea in any 3+
$270ea in any 6+

Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2020

Rhône Blend | Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf du Pape

"A blend of 55% Grenache, 35% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah and other permitted varieties, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape looked exceptional on this day, offering up scents of framboise and kirsch alongside dried flowers and Asian spices. Full-bodied yet weightless, silky and long, this is special stuff, complex and balanced. "The phenolic maturity is there, the sugars are there," Avril said. "No, it won't be like 2019, but I think we will come in around 14.5–15 degrees [of alcohol]. I think, I don'
$310
$300ea in any 3+
$290ea in any 6+

Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2017

Rhône Blend | Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf du Pape

"One of the strongest wines in the vintage is the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape from Vincent Avril. This beauty has everything you could ask for. As with the 2018, the blend is heavily shifted toward Mourvèdre, and it offers a mammoth bouquet of black cherries, graphite, cured meats, Asian spices, and assorted garrigue-like nuances. Deep, full-bodied, and concentrated, it stays straight and focused on the palate (whereas the 2016 is more expansive and voluptuous), with a stacked mid-palate, ripe, s
$337
$327ea in any 3+
$317ea in any 6+

Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2015

Rhône Blend | Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf du Pape

Bottled in May, the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape is a floral, elegant, unbelievably complex wine. Roses and violets, cherries and stone fruit, cinnamon and allspice and more are carried across the full-bodied yet almost weightless palate, finishing in a swirl of silky tannins and lingering spice. Drink it over the next two decades.  (10/2017) Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate 97 Points  Deep ruby. Hugely aromatic red and dark berry, potpourri and floral scents are underscored by smoky minera
$360
$350ea in any 3+
$340ea in any 6+

Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Le Secret des Sabon’ 2017

Rhône Blend | Châteauneuf du Pape, France

“On another level, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Secret Des Sabon is stacked and packed and ranks with the top 2-3 wines in this great vintage. A huge nose of blackcurrants, melted licorice, graphite, garrigue and pepper gives way to an uber-full-bodied, concentrated, massively endowed wine that has an insane level of opulence and decadent, sweet tannins, and a huge finish. This is a tour de force in wine that readers need to taste to believe. Given its wealth of fruit and texture, it’s a
$495
$480ea in any 3+
$465ea in any 6+

Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Le Secret des Sabon’ 2019

Rhône Blend | Châteauneuf du Pape, France

“The tiny production 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Secret Des Sabon is a field blend of mostly Grenache brought up all in wooden tronconique barrels. It's closest in style to the Prestige Cuvée yet brings another level of opulence and richness without losing any sense of elegance or class. Blackberries, peppery herbs, graphite, crushed violets, and a liquid rock-like minerality all define the nose, and it hits the palate with incredible depth of fruit, full-bodied richness, and ripe yet buildi
$502
$487ea in any 3+
$472ea in any 6+

Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape MAGNUM 2020

Rhône Blend | Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf du Pape

"A blend of 55% Grenache, 35% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah and other permitted varieties, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape looked exceptional on this day, offering up scents of framboise and kirsch alongside dried flowers and Asian spices. Full-bodied yet weightless, silky and long, this is special stuff, complex and balanced. "The phenolic maturity is there, the sugars are there," Avril said. "No, it won't be like 2019, but I think we will come in around 14.5–15 degrees [of alcohol]. I think, I don'
$620
$605ea in any 3+
$590ea in any 6+