2023 Chateauneuf du Pape

Coming from 50% galets roulés and 50% sandy safre soils, the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape is based on 60% Grenache, 15% each Syrah and Mourvèdre, and 5% each Cinsault and Counoise. It was partially destemmed, vinified in concrete tanks, and aged 15 months in 90% concrete with 10% new French oak. Sweet red and black berry-like fruits intermix with peppery Provençal herbs, dried flowers, and spice. It's beautifully textured, medium-bodied, has a pure, layered, elegant mouthfeel, and outstanding length. This perfect example of both the quality of this estate and the style of the vintage has roughly 5,666 cases produced. Drink 2025-2033. One of the oldest estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and run by the Lançon family, Domaine de la Solitude covers over 80 acres in the La Solitude lieu-dit on the western edge of La Crau in the center of the appellation. The wines are made by the talented Florent Lançon, and the terroir is a mix of galets roulés and sandy safre soils. The winemaking is quasi-modern, with some new oak and small barrels, and mostly 100% destemming. Interestingly, the blends for their cuvées are chosen blind and put together rather late, so this estate never shows barrel samples. The range includes the classic Châteauneuf-du-Pape (60% Grenache, 15% each Syrah and Mourvèdre, and 5% each Cinsault and Counoise), the more modern styled Barberini (60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and 15% Mourvèdre from 100% galets roulés terroir, aged with 60% new French oak), the 100% Grenache Cornelia Constanza from sandy safre soils in La Crau, and the relatively new Vin de la Solitude, always one of the most singular wines in a vintage with its complex blend as well as more whole cluster fermentation. The whites here are brilliant as well and deserve serious attention, with the Vin de la Solitude Blanc showing Grand Cru white Burgundy-style reduction and sensational complexity. As I wrote in the note, it's the Coche-Dury of the Southern Rhône! I can’t recommend these wines enough and they certainly have a place in my personal cellar.