2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Val de Dieu
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Tasting notes
A traditional blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre and aged predominantly in demi-muids, the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Val de Dieu is richly tannic yet plush, marked by its stay in oak. Vanilla and baking spices abound, yet they blend readily with the mixed-berry fruit and velvety texture. It's approachable now if you're partial to vanilla, berries and cream, but I expect it to develop some more savory characters within a few years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Val de Dieu (60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre) offers a similar style, with notes of caramelized raspberries, spice-box, dried garrigue and hints of vanilla. Elegant, full-bodied and utterly seamless on the palate, it has ripe, sweet tannin and a great finish. Like the tradition, it's a more elegant, silky style of wine that's already a joy to drink. This is another great lineup from Chateau de Vaudieu, who have risen to the top of the heap recently. They make a perfumed, elegant style of wine, and have started releasing numerous single parcel wine from vines all located around the estate. While the 2016s are a clear step up, the 2015s has terrific purity and elegance.
Brilliant ruby. Sexy, intensely perfumed raspberry, boysenberry and rose pastille scents are complemented by hints of cola, rhubarb and peppery spices. Palate-staining red and blue fruit flavors show impressive power as well as vivacity thanks to a spine of juicy acidity. The floral quality comes back emphatically on a very long, sappy finish shaped by smooth tannins. This wine's urgency and power are superb, as is its balance.