2016 Domaine de Cristia Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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Tasting notes
The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape (85% Grenache and 15% Syrah) comes all from the Cristia lieu-dit (all sandy soils) and was destemmed and brought up mostly in concrete. I always find this cuvée forward and ready to go, yet the 2016 is tighter and more backward, with medium to full body, good acidity, and traditional notes of blackberries, plums, peppery spice, and garrigue. Give it a year or two. Winemaker Baptiste Grangeon has been on a roll over the past decade with these wines from his family estate. These are ripe, powerful wines that never lose their Southern Rhône soul, and if anything, these latest 2016s and 2017s are more reserved and elegant than past vintages.
Critic scores
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Cristia's 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape is a rich, ripe, slightly warm offering that's a solid representative of the appellation. Cherry fruit picks up pepper and anise notes on the supple finish. Full-bodied and slightly open-knit, it should drink well during its first decade.
Dark bright-hued red. Scents of ripe red berries, garrigue , woodsmoke and licorice, joined by a floral topnote that builds in the glass. Juicy and seamless in the mouth, offering gently sweet raspberry and lavender pastille flavors that deepen on the back half. Smooth and floral on the long, gently tannic finish, which leaves a subtle white pepper note behind.
80% Clairette, 20% Roussanne. Rather unexpected copper colour. Salty nose. No suggestion of oxidation on the palate (despite the deep colour) and in fact there's a nice fresh finish and plenty of persistence. Perhaps lacking in flavour definition though – some spice and stone fruit, but nothing too distinct. (RH)