2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
Moving to the two 2017s, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes checks in as 100% Grenache coming from a single parcel in the Cristia lieu-dit, in the heart of the appellation, and was brought up mostly in old barrels, with 30% in new demi-muids. Revealing a more ruby/plum color, it has an incredible nose of spiced red and black fruits, ground pepper, garrigue, and spring flowers. These all carry to a full-bodied, layered, elegant Grenache that has silky tannins, flawless balance, and a great, great finish. It’s already complex and ready to go today yet will cruise for 10-15 years in cold cellars.
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
More reviews and scores
Possessing more concentration and richness than the other Cristia cuvées, the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes—sourced from 95-year-old Grenache vines in the Cristia lieu-dit—combines hints of cedar and vanilla from the barrels in which it matured with ripe raspberries and black cherries. Full-bodied and intensely flavored, it delivers those things without any sense of heaviness, remaining fresh, silky and elegant from boldly aromatic start to long, nuanced finish. Yum!
Deep bright-rimmed ruby. Oak-spiced cherry and Chambord aromas are complemented by vanilla and incense qualities and a touch of smokiness. Sweet and fleshy in style, offering red fruit preserve, cherry-vanilla and spicecake flavors that steadily expand with air. In a lush, extroverted style, with a long, smooth finish that features resonating oak and floral notes and even tannins that are quickly absorbed by the wine's sweet red fruit.