2023 Château de Mont-Redon Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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Deep ruby-hued, the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape shows blackberries and ripe black cherries intermixed with crushed stone, graphite, pepper, and hints of violets. Based on 60% Grenache, 31% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre, and 1% other varieties, it was aged in 12% new oak, 38% older barrels, and 50% stainless steel. It's nicely concentrated, with medium-bodied richness, ripe, polished tannins, and outstanding length. Still young, inward, and unevolved, it will benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age and will be one of the longer-lived wines in the vintage. Drink 2028-2045. Run by Pierre Fabre and his team, Château Mont-Redon continues to produce some of the most impressive wines in Châteauneuf du Pape from vineyards located in the northwestern portion of the appellation, planted on a mix of galets roulés, limestone, and sandy soils. The range includes the classic Châteauneuf du Pape red and white, as well as the single-vineyard Le Plateau bottlings from the upper Mont Redon plateau near the estate on 100% galets roulés soils. The classic red is based on 60% Grenache, 31% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre, and 1% other varieties, while Le Plateau Rouge is equal parts Grenache and Syrah, giving it a more powerful, structured style. The reds tend to show a slightly more modern style in their youth today (there’s a fair bit of new oak) yet these never lose their Southern Rhône soul. They’re also going to be some of the longest-lived wines in the appellation. In addition, the whites are absolutely brilliant. The classic cuvée is vinified and aged entirely in stainless steel, while Le Plateau Blanc (70% Grenache Blanc and 30% Clairette) is vinified and aged entirely in new French oak. The 2024 Le Plateau Blanc is one of the “wow” wines of the vintage and comes across like a Grand Cru white Burgundy. Don’t miss these wines.
Critic scores
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Jeb Dunnuck
Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
A blend of 60% Grenache Noir, 31% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre and a small percentage of other permitted varieties, the 2023 Chateauneuf du Pape from Château Mont-Redon is somewhat introverted and oak-driven, opening with aromas of toast, spices and licorice. Medium- to full-bodied, enveloping and creamy, it is dense and structured, with a fleshy core of fruit framed by assertive oak tannins. Well-balanced and competently executed, it remains, however, rather too marked by oak for my taste.
Vinified from fully destemmed grapes, the deep ruby-colored 2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape develops with red and black plum, licorice, fresh violets, licorice and leafy elements. Full-bodied and polished, it touches the palate with a juicy core of fruit and finishes with good freshness on the bright resolution. Less overtly structured than the preceding 2022 vintage, the 2023 won’t require as much time to come around.