2017 Chateauneuf du Pape la Guigasse
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Tasting notes
The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Guigasse comes from a single lieu-dit in the heart of the appellation and is 100% Grenache that was not destemmed and was brought up in old barrels. It’s as Provençal as they come, offering a killer perfume of spiced red and black fruits, white pepper, garrigue, and herbes de Provence to go with a medium to full-bodied, seamless style on the palate. It benefits from air, is perfectly balanced, and is a complex, layered, incredibly satisfying 2017 Châteauneuf du Pape that can be enjoyed today or cellared for 15 years or more. The personal label of importer Peter Weygandt, with the wines made by Baptiste Grangeon of Domain de Cristia, Chapelle Saint Theodoric focuses on 100% Grenache from two lieux-dits, Le Grand Pin and La Guigasse. The wines are not destemmed and brought up all in old barrels, and these are classic, gorgeous wines. As I’ve written in the past, they come closest in my mind to Rayas as anything else out there. Both 2018 and 2019 are terrific vintages here, with the 2018s offering more upfront charm and the 2019s going to reward bottle age.
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
More powerful than its Le Grand Pin stablemate, the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape La Guigasse is made the same minimalistic way—100% whole-cluster Grenache from a single site, in this case a sandy parcel in the lieu-dit La Guigasse. Raised in demi-muids for two years or more, depending on the vintage, it has some meaty, charred notes that could be barrel-derived, but the overall oak impact is probably more textural than olfactory. Hints of rose petals, cherries and even orange zest join with darker toned notes of cola and dried spices in a whirl of complexity that's complemented by the wine's silky tannins. It's full-bodied but feels lighter, filling the mouth with its flavors while leaving the palate refreshed on the long finish.
100% Grenache. Mint, garrigue, bramble fruit – much more developed and nuanced than their 2016. Riper fruit on the palate too, although there is still a great deal of tannic gruffness. Strongly savoury finish that removes any fruit ripeness, leaving this remarkably tough. This might improve with age, but it's tough to love right now. (RH)
Dark crimson. Highly perfumed scents of red and dark berry preserves, exotic spices and potpourri; an incense flourish adds complexity. Stains the palate with juicy Chambord, cherry pie and lavender pastille flavors that deepen steadily with aeration. The seamless, penetrating finish displays outstanding clarity, appealing sweetness and just a whisper of fine-grained tannins.
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Product details
Grenache/ Garnacha , Syrah / Shiraz, Mourvedre/Monastrell/Mataro
Red
Dry