2021 Chateauneuf du Pape
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Tasting notes
The 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape is a solid effort in the vintage. A normal blend of mostly Grenache with 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, with a splash of Cinsault, it has a beautiful perfume of ripe cherries, fresh strawberries, sappy green flowers, and peppery garrigue. This carries to a medium-bodied, layered, elegant Châteauneuf with fine tannins, a beautiful overall sense of balance, and outstanding length. It shows the fresh, pretty, nuanced style of the vintage and is a beautiful wine to enjoy over the coming decade. It's in the same ballpark as the 2008. As I’ve written many times, Le Vieux Donjon is a reference point estate for classically made Châteauneuf du Pape. Their Châteauneuf du Pape comes from a mix of terroirs and is always a majority Grenache with smaller amounts of Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault, partially destemmed, with the élevage in a mix of concrete tanks and large foudre. In addition to their red, they make a terrific Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc.
Critic scores
Average Score
Alistair Cooper MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
A classic blend of 75% Grenache, 10% each Mourvèdre and Syrah and 5% Cinsault, the 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape is a charming, easy-drinking effort. Marked by scents of cherries and garrigue, it's medium to full-bodied, silky, fine and classic but not great, with just a hint of dark chocolate on the finish.
This generous and well-structured 2021 Chateauneuf has excellent raspberry and strawberry aromas for the challenging vintage, plus notes of floral aromas. Surprisingly fine tannins, too. Still very youthful and in need of a bit of time in bottle to reach ideal harmony, but the freshness at the finish is already delightful. A cuvee 75% grenache, 10% syrah, 10% mourvedre and 5% cinsault that were co-fermented, then matured in foudre. Drinkable now, but best from 2024.
Tasted blind. Quite dominant oak on the nose – pepper and spice with raspberry notes. Whilst the oak is prominent on the palate there is lovely strawberry fruit and concentration to support it. Good, fresh acidity. Closed and introverted, but plenty to look out for here in the future. (AC)
About the producer
Product details
Grenache/ Garnacha , Syrah / Shiraz, Mourvedre/Monastrell/Mataro, Cinsault
Red
Dry